Ricky Hatton – a life in pictures

Ricky Hatton made his professional debut in 1997 and in his third fight, in January 1998, recorded his first TKO when he defeated David Thompson at Whitchurch Sports Centre in Bristol.

Hatton with the belt after retaining the WBO intercontinental light-welterweight title by defeating Ambioris Figuero with a TKO in May 2000.

In October 2000, despite a cut on his brow, Hatton defeated Jon Thaxton on points for the vacant British light welterweight championship, his first British title.

Hatton was given the nickname ‘the Hitman’ as a boy by his first coach, who had said: ‘Look at him, how evil he is, he’s a little hitman.’

Hatton takes a left from his young son Campbell at his gym in Hyde during training three days before his WBU world light-welterweight title fight with Justin Rowsell in December 2001. Campbell went on to become a boxer himself with a 14-2 record before retiring in July 2025.

Hatton, a Manchester City fan, has a kickabout with City’s Danny Tiatto and Dickson Etuhu at Maine Road in 2001.

In June 2005 Hatton put his name on the map when he defeated the IBF light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu, widely regarded at the time as one of the top pound for pound boxers in the world, by a TKO.

Hatton celebrated his victory over Tszyu with friends outside his local pub the New Inn, in Hyde, Manchester.

Throughout his career Hatton would enjoy his food and drink between fights (and take in a pre-fight fry-up) and then engage in drastic weight loss to get to his fighting weight. His self-depreciating humour is evident as he frequently referred to himself as ‘Ricky Fatton’.

Hatton and José Luis Castillo share a joke at a press conference to announce their IBO light-welterweight title fight in June 2007.

Hatton (right) celebrates a fourth-round knockout over Castillo to add the IBO light-welterweight belt to his collection.

Ahead of his December 2007 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr, Hatton channeled his inner Rocky Bilboa, with the help of Weatherheads Family Butchers in Denton and the children of Alder community high school for a shoot in Observer Sport Monthly.

Hatton makes his way to the ring for his WBC welterweight title fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr, which was considered the biggest welterweight fight in years.

Mayweather lands a left. Hatton was able to hold his own until round eight, when Mayweather began to adapt and started counterattacking. Hatton was knocked down in round 10 and the referee stopped the fight soon after.

Fellow Manchester City fans Liam and Noel Gallagher walk in with Hatton’s belts at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Hotel before the IBF light-welterweight fight against Paul Malignaggi in November 2008.

Hatton lands a right on Malignaggi, who was withdrawn by his corner during the 11th round. The victory meant that Hatton would meet Manny Pacquiao the following year.

Hatton’s fans were back in Las Vegas in force for his May 2009 fight against Pacquiao.

Unfortunately for them and Hatton, their hopes of a junior welterweight title were dashed in the second round when Pacquiao (left) knocked out the Manchester fighter.

Taking a hiatus from boxing following the defeat meant that Hatton had time to take in other activities, such as playing for England in the 2010 Unicef Soccer Aid charity match.

Hatton started operating his own boxing promotions company, Hatton Promotions, which managed a number of fighters. In 2011 he received the ‘Promoter of the year’ award.

The following year Hatton confirmed he would return to professional boxing with a fight against an unnamed opponent scheduled to take place in November. Such was Hatton’s appeal, tickets for the comeback sold out in two days. The opponent was subsequently announced as Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Hatton started the fight on the front foot but was not timing his shots well. Senchenko used his superior reach to land jabs and gain the upper hand and Hatton was stopped in the ninth round. It was the third time Hatton had been stopped, taking his overall record to 45 wins and three defeats. He announced his final retirement from the ring immediately afterwards, saying: ‘I needed one more fight to see if I had still got it – and I haven’t. I found out tonight it isn’t there no more.’

After hanging up his gloves, Hatton trained a number of fighters and was in Tyson Fury’s corner during his 2018 fight against Deontay Wilder.

Hatton with his boxing medals at home in Hyde in December 2019. He is also holding his MBE which he received for services to sport in the 2007 new year honours.

In January 2024 Hatton donned skates rather than gloves as he partnered Robin Johnstone in series 16 of ITV’s Dancing on Ice TV Show.

A one minute’s applause is observed ahead of the match in memory of Ricky Hatton at the Etihad during Sunday’s Manchester derby.

A heartbreaking note left outside Hatton’s home by his former trainer Billy ‘The Preacher’ Graham.