Oasis are expected to remember Ricky Hatton at their concert later this month, the champion was a humble, down-to-earth hero to generations of fans, his family said today
Oasis are set to pay a special tribute to the boxer Ricky Hatton at the next UK gig of their comeback tour. Fans braved pouring rain to leave tributes in Manchester as his loved ones told of the devastating loss of a giant of the ring.
The legendary band from Hatton’s hometown are expected to remember the star at their next gig at Wembley on September 27. The much-loved champion was a humble, down-to-earth hero to generations of fans, his family said today.
He left behind parents Carol and Ray, children Campbell, Millie, Fearne and granddaughter Lyla following his tragic death at 46 on Sunday. The Mirror told how the Gallagher brothers were set to see Hatton’s comeback fight in Dubai in December.
In a statement, the Hatton family told how he was ‘so much more than a world champion’ to them. His close friends Liam and Noel Gallagher are set to remember him during a performance of ‘Live Forever’ at Wembley.
During the first show of their comeback tour at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, in July, an image of late Liverpool star Diogo Jota was projected on massive screens to a huge applause from the 75,000-strong crowd.
A similar tribute is set to be held for Ricky later this month. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham promised that the city would also ‘find a way of honouring him properly’.
“Ricky was much loved by so many in Greater Manchester,” he said. “He was the kind of person who would always turn up for people, supporting so many causes. He made us smile and made us proud. Rest in peace, Champ.”
In their statement, the Hatton Family said: “To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many. He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him,” they added. He was ‘one of boxing’s greatest champions, who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it’. They went on: “He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport.”
Fans braved driving rain to remember the People’s Champion at his mansion, called ‘The Heartbreak’. His three-wheeled yellow Reliant Robin, used in the filming of the BBC show ‘Only Fools and Horses’, was outside, with a Union Jack painted telephone box in the back garden.
A floral tribute left by former coach Billy Graham read: ‘Sorry I wasn’t there for you. Love Billy (The Preacher) x”. Police say there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances behind Hatton’s death. Electrician David Hopper, 33, placed flowers outside the £1.75 m property in Gee Cross, Greater Manchester, during his lunch break. “I used to stay up with my dad to watch his fights on TV,” he said. “He was such a likeable person and that’s why he was so popular.” Marcus Atkinson, 55, said: “I met him on holiday in Tenerife. Ricky waited for my daughter to go back to the hotel for her phone so she could have a photograph with him. It made her holiday.” To Toby Daniels, 25, he was “still one of us, a lad from Hyde, who had done really well for himself”. He added: “He was our champion. If you saw him, he would always speak.” Ricky’s brother Matthew and ex-partner Jennifer Dooley called at the property as fans left flowers, scarves, shirts and boxing gloves. Matthew, also a boxer, shared photos on social media.
He wrote: “I love you Richard. See you on the other side X.” Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was “absolutely devastated” to hear of Hatton’s death, adding: “It was an absolute honour to know him and carry his belts. “RIP champ, live forever.” Adele Roberts, the radio presenter, described Hatton as an “amazing man”; Olympian Greg Rutherford said the loss was “utterly heartbreaking”. The pair competed alongside Hatton on the 16th season of Dancing On Ice. The popular fighter was also remembered as being “one of a kind” by former England star David Beckham, who posted photos of Hatton to his Instagram stories. It is believed Hatton put his mansion up for sale after splitting with actress Claire Sweeney, a friend and fellow Dancing on Ice contestant.
Boxing journalist Steve Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We used the cliche ‘people’s champion’. “But nobody had come close to what Ricky was before and nobody has come close to what Ricky was since. He fought with every part of his soul and fibre.” Hatton’s parents made a small gym in the basement of their pub when he was 12, and it was there that he honed his skills on a punching bag. He rose through amateur and domestic levels to pit his wits against elite boxers of his generation, including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao. Hatton achieved a staggering 43-0 record before his first loss at the hands of Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2007 and later campaigned to help those ‘suffering with their mental health’.
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