Ricky Hatton funeral plans announced for Manchester Cathedral service

Ricky Hatton's family have announced plans for a memorial funeral service celebrating the life of Richard Hatton MBE at Manchester Cathedral on Friday 10 October 2025 at 12:00 p.m. local time. Entry to the cathedral will be by invitation, but members of the public are invited to pay their respects outside as a procession route is published in the coming days. Hatton, the former world champion who was found dead at his Manchester home earlier this month at age 46, will be remembered by fans and peers for his warmth as well as his boxing talent.

In a statement shared on social media, relatives said the service would be a celebration of Hatton's life and career. The announcement adds to a wave of tributes since Hatton's death, with friends, fans and fellow fighters recalling his popularity and generosity. Manny Pacquiao described him as a great fighter and a brave and kind man; promoter Frank Warren called him a modern great who inspired a generation of boxers; promoter Eddie Hearn said everybody loved Ricky and wished him eternal peace; Tyson Fury recalled Hatton as a legend; David Haye praised his honesty and warrior spirit. More tributes are expected as the sport mourns the loss.

Hatton's passing has sent a shock through boxing circles in Britain and beyond. Known as 'The Hitman', he rose from Manchester's local gyms to become a two-time light welterweight world champion and one of the most instantly recognizable figures in British sport. In recent days, friends and former rivals have described him as a figure who combined fierce competitiveness with warmth and loyalty toward his supporters. The family's statement did not specify further details about the service beyond the date, time and entry restrictions, saying only that a procession route would be announced in the coming days.

Manchester Cathedral, located in the city center, has hosted several high-profile memorials in the past, and the Hatton family opted for a service that emphasizes a public farewell outside the building while allowing a formal service inside for invited guests. The timing places the service just under two weeks after Hatton's death, giving fans and boxing figures an opportunity to reflect on his career, his impact on Manchester and the sport at large, and the personal part of his story that touched many lives.

Hatton's family previously requested privacy while they arranged the funeral and asked well-wishers to respect the family's process. The service is expected to attract dozens of fans who lined up to pay their respects outside Manchester's boxing venues and gyms as news spread of Hatton's death, and many within boxing have posted messages of condolence since the announcement.

As tributes continue to pour in, Hatton's legacy as a transformative figure in British boxing remains secure. The former champion is remembered not only for his achievements inside the ring but for his ability to connect with fans and his down-to-earth demeanor, which resonated across generations of fighters and supporters.