Ricky Hatton

Who they were

Richard John Hatton, also known by nicknames such as "the Hitman", "the Pride of Hyde" and the "People's Champion", was a British professional boxer who competed between 1997 and 2012, and later worked as a boxing promoter and trainer. During his boxing career, he held multiple world championships in the light-welterweight division, and one at welterweight. In 2005 he was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine, the Boxing Writers Association of America, ESPN, and BoxingScene.

Early life

Early life Richard John Hatton was born on 6 October 1978 in Stockport, Greater Manchester . He grew up in a pub on the Hattersley council estate in Hyde . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] He first trained at the Sale West ABC (Racecourse Estate). He was educated at Hattersley High School. His grandfather and his father both played football for Rochdale and Hatton had a trial for the youth team . He found a local boxing club in Hyde to train at. Aged 14,

Path and career

Hatton turned professional in 1997 and won his first 40 fights before losing to Kostya Tszyu in 2005, a fight for the IBO and WBA light-welterweight titles. He rebounded to win the WBA and IBO titles in 2006, then unified multiple light-welterweight belts over the following years.

He moved up to welterweight in 2007 and challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the WBC title, losing by decision. Hatton returned to light-welterweight and regained world titles before retiring in 2012 with a record of 45 wins, 4 losses, and 32 knockouts. He later became a boxing promoter and trainer.

Why this date

Ricky Hatton appears on our September 14 calendar for 2025 as a death entry.