A statue honoring boxing icon Ricky Hatton is set to be erected in his hometown. Hatton, a former world champion, passed away at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on September 14, 2025, at the age of 46. In the wake of his death, over 9,000 people signed an online petition advocating for a statue commemorating his legacy.
Tameside Council has unanimously supported the motion to commission the statue, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. At a recent meeting, Allan Hopwood, leader of the local Reform group, proposed that the statue be placed either in Hyde town center or in Hattersley, where Hatton spent much of his childhood. Hopwood remarked, “Today, October 6, would have been Ricky Hatton’s 48th birthday. Ricky was a proud son of Tameside whose boxing achievements and community work have inspired countless people, both young and old, across the region and beyond. I knew Ricky personally and boxed with him at the same venue when he was still at school. Even then, I could tell he was exceptional and have admired his career ever since.”
Hopwood also assured that the statue’s funding would come from donations, ensuring no expense to the local council. The community will also be invited to take part in the statue’s design process.
An amendment proposed by Labour to include another local athlete, marathon runner Ron Hill, in the project was rejected. Council leader Eleanor Wills had suggested integrating both statues into a broader strategic plan to secure proper funding, but opposition members, including Councillor Ged Cooney, opposed combining the statues, calling it unnecessary. Consequently, the Labour amendment failed, and the original motion to honor Hatton alone was approved.
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Fan Take: For fight fans, commemorating Ricky Hatton with a statue is a powerful tribute to one of the sport’s most beloved figures whose impact extended far beyond the ring. This recognition not only preserves his legacy but also inspires future generations to engage with boxing and appreciate its deep community roots.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
