The incredible things Ricky Hatton did outside of the ring that will be remembered forever

‘We were floored by it’

 

The world was left saddened last weekend after it was announced that top boxer Ricky Hatton had passed away at the age of 46.

Since then, friends, family, celebrities and fellow sports stars have all come out in force to share their powerful and heartfelt tributes to the ‘people’s champion’, including the likes of Tyson Fury, Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao.

Aside from being an undeniable force in the ring, former world champion Ricky, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year, was also known for his wit, character and charm.

From Hyde, he grew up on a council estate before making it big. Friends said that he had ‘no airs or graces’ about him despite going on to achieve world success and earn millions. There were also the efforts he did to go out of his way to help others.

Here’s just a handful of the nice things Ricky Hatton has been known for – with some of these stories and encounters only having made it into the public’s attention following his untimely death last Sunday.

Helping ‘untold numbers of people’

Lancashire based Healthier Heroes, who provide housing, mental health and wellbeing support to veterans., said they had seen an ongoing impact following Ricky’s visit four years ago – not just in people who used their services, but in terms of bringing attention to what they were doing.

The charity wrote on social media: “He made such an impact on the lads at Bancroft a few years ago. It was great to see him and for him to take the time to come and see the lads and spend some time with them.”

Irish comedian Stevo Timothy also recently recalled how the legendary former world champion helped him raise over €100,000 for the Irish Wheelchair Association following a ‘headlock’ stunt, and then taking part in a fundraiser. He said the boxer paid for his own flights and accommodation for the event.

“Ricky didn’t forget where he came from,” Stevo told the Irish Mirror. “He wouldn’t rub his wealth in people’s faces. He knew what it was like to not have anything.”

Two years ago, Ricky was announced as an ambassador for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). In a tribute, the organisation said: “Ricky leaves behind a true legacy in the world of sport and beyond. His work with CALM has helped untold numbers of people.”

Andy’s Man Club also spoke about how he helped promote the charity during his comeback fight against Marco Barrera in 2022. Having initially come out with a Zimmer frame, he burst into action showing he was back to business. During the match, people from Andy’s Man Club walked the rink with placards saying ‘it’s ok not to be ok’.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Ricky supported us no end and during his comeback fight against Marco Barrera, we were featured heavily as a charity partner giving us advertising space and a presence that would have been worth millions.

“It had a very real impact too, with record numbers at our groups across Manchester the week after. As an aside to this, Ricky inspired a huge number of men through his story and his sport. “

The boxer would also regularly donate memorabilia to local good causes to raffle off. Just a few weeks before his death he gave a pair of signed boxing gloves to his local pub The Queen Adelaide in Gee Cross, for a charity night in aid of The Christie.

Landlady Alison Boot said: “He did stuff like that all the time. He was a gentleman.”

He also worked with Barnabus and spent an evening alongside Evander Holyfield meeting local members of the homeless community back in 2014. He continued to support the charity ever since then, having been ‘deeply affected’ by the visit.

A message to a young fan

Just days before his death, Ricky had sent a video message to a ten-year-old fan who was being bullied at school as he told him to ‘keep your chin up’.

One fan, Sally, sent a message to Ricky after her son Louie was being targeted at school. Ricky told the aspiring fighter that getting in the ring would give him confidence and show others that he cannot be walked all over.

“I believe you’ve been having a tough time at school by a couple of bullies,” he said in the 30-second clip. “Don’t worry about it my mate, that’s nothing new. Even I had a bully when I was at school. But you’ve done the right thing taking up the boxing, not so you can get your own back on him and beat him up, but boxing gives you confidence, doesn’t it?

“And the minute these bullies see you’ve got a little bit of confidence, they’ll leave you alone. So I think you’ve done the right thing mate. Keep your chin up, and I wish you all the best with the boxing. Good luck, son.”

Speaking about the video after Ricky’s death, Sally said: “It’s amazing that Ricky sent this to us when he was clearly so low himself. It showed how kind he was, and it meant a lot to me and my son. It is something we will treasure.”

‘It’s more like a five star hotel’

Earlier this year, Ricky offered up his time and star-power to officially open a new state-of-the-art inpatient mental health hospital in Manchester.

Bringing wider attention to the North View purpose-built facility, it allowed people to learn that the centre in Crumpsall existed and offered a range of treatment services, therapeutic support, and round-the-clock care.

He said of the facility back in March: “The main thing about mental health is people don’t speak about it and even if you do, it must be very daunting to go to hospital, but this doesn’t seem like a hospital, it’s more like a five star hotel. It’s fantastic. You’ve got a gym in there.

“It’s fantastic for the city of Manchester to have this on their doorstep. Hopefully more cities up and down the country will have facilities like this soon too.”

A wedding card like no other

Two fans said they would have never met if it wasn’t for Ricky Hatton. Ryan and Sarah Goldsmith bumped into each other in Manchester whilst both separately on a night out on the town following his fight against Carlos Vilches in June 2004.

Fast forward to 21 years later, and the pair, who live in Blackpool, have been happily married for 20 years. They even got a wedding card from Ricky.

Inside a signed envelope, which the couple later framed, he told the couple: “I’m really thankful that one of my fights could bring two people together.”

The couple said they had initially been shocked to see the card from the boxing legend, having been unaware of anything to do with it. It turned out that Ryan’s mum had reached out to Ricky’s team and told them their story of meeting up.

Sarah said: “We were floored by it. We didn’t have the foggiest idea.”

Delivery driver

During the pandemic, Ricky joined forces with Manchester’s Yianis Christodoulou Foundation to help deliver food packages to the vulnerable and needy.

The Manchester charities supported by the donations at the time included the Barnabus homeless charity, adult housing provider Justlife, and Women’s DA. He wrote on Instagram at the time: “In Manchester this afternoon delivering food for the homeless @barnabusmcr @yianischarity Hope your all safe during this tough time. #staysafe X.”

A grassroots effort

Not only was Ricky keen to train up some of the next generation of boxers through his own gym in his hometown, but he also made sure that emerging boxers across the country were looked after and given the resources to become stars.

One example during the pandemic saw Ricky and a number of other members of the boxing elite backed a campaign to provide financial support for bankrupt clubs, gyms and failing youth development programmes after the sport was omitted from one £300 million aid package.

In another example, in 2023, he led a team of local talent at the boxing tournament The Box Off. Being the team leader for Manchester at its first event in Telford, Ricky said: “Ideas like this give people another chance at their big break and I love that thought.”

Shopping local

Last Christmas, Ricky, who grew up in Hattersley, backed a campaign for Tameside residents to shop local and support independent businesses and retailers.

At the time, Clllr Stephen Homer, Tameside Council’s Towns and Communities lead, said: “A big thank you to Ricky for helping us to highlight our shop local campaign. He is clearly passionate about supporting his local area – as we all should be.”

A kick out of Kickboxing

This summer, Ricky backed an important campaign which aims to make kickboxing safer following the death of 15-year-old Alex Eastwood, from Liverpool, last year.

The combat sport has been cited as having a lack of minimum standards, and has been urged for risk assessments and safeguarding to be made more of a requirement.

“Kick boxing is in the hurt business,” Ricky told ITV News back in June. “People get hurt. You put your life on the line.”

Kickboxing GB said it was ‘committed to ensuring’ that participation in the combat sport is ‘as safe as possible’ and will ‘review policies and procedures accordingly’.

Taking time out with fans

One thing those who were lucky enough to meet Ricky will say is that he always took the time out to talk to his fans,

Hailed as someone who would never turn down a selfie, the internet has been flooded with messages from those who managed to get a photo with the champ.

Speaking of Ricky, one fan Martin Gavin posted on social media: “A true gentleman with the kindest heart and would always take the time for a chat or photo with fans. Rest in peace, Rick!”