The funeral of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton will take place at noon on Friday, with thousands of fans expected to line the streets of Greater Manchester to pay their final respects.
The procession will travel from his hometown of Hyde to Manchester Cathedral, where a private, invitation-only service will be held for family, friends and close associates from the boxing world.
Hatton, one of Britain’s most beloved sports figures, was found dead at his home in Hyde on September 14 at the age of 46.
News of his passing sent shockwaves through the sporting community, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the boxing world and beyond.
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Known affectionately as “The Hitman,” Hatton was a two-weight world champion whose ferocious style and infectious charisma made him one of the most popular fighters of his generation.
Friday’s memorial procession will begin at 9.45am outside the Cheshire Cheese pub on Stockport Road in Hyde, a favourite local spot of Hatton’s, before moving on to the Harehill Tavern in Hattersley.
It will then stop at The New Inn on Mottram New Road — a pub once owned by the boxing legend's parents — where a dove release will take place in his memory.
The funeral of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton will take place at noon on Friday, with thousands of fans expected to line the streets of Greater Manchester to pay their final respects
|PA
From there, the cortege will make its way towards Manchester city centre, passing several landmarks that defined Hatton’s life and career.
The route will include a poignant moment outside the AO Arena, formerly known as the M.E.N. Arena, where Hatton enjoyed some of the most memorable nights of his career.
It was there, in 2005, that he stunned the boxing world by defeating Kostya Tszyu to win the IBF light-welterweight title — a victory that cemented his place among Britain’s sporting greats.
Ricky Hatton's funeral will take place at 12 o'clock on Friday afternoon
|RICKYHATTONFAMILY
After the service at Manchester Cathedral, the procession will head towards the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, Hatton’s lifelong club, arriving at around 1.15pm.
Fans will have a final opportunity to pay tribute outside the ground before the cortege departs for a private ceremony.
Hatton’s son, Campbell, has urged supporters to line the streets in honour of his father, saying the family has been “overwhelmed” by the response since his passing.
“We are absolutely heartbroken… it was so unexpected,” Campbell told ITV. “We had so many plans coming up, so it has knocked us for six, but obviously we are trying to be there for each other.
“The outpouring of support from absolutely everyone has been amazing, so that’s helping us through a lot, but yes, absolutely heartbroken.”
Thousands are expected to pay tribute to Ricky Hatton following his death aged 46
|PA
He said a strong public turnout would be exactly what his father wanted.
“That’s exactly what he would have wanted,” he said.
“He saw his biggest achievement as his fanbase, and that’s what he was most proud of.
“So what he’d want would be the streets to be full of people, because everything he did, he did for his fans.”