By Shaun Brown
Tributes have poured in from every corner of the sport, but to understand Ricky Hatton the person, Boxing News reached out to those who not only worked with him but were proud to call him a friend.
When you think of Ricky Hatton the person, what comes to mind?
Nathan Gorman (heavyweight): “When I first met Rick, I was 18. I walked into his gym. You very rarely get starstruck, but I was. He made me feel welcome instantly. He was that kind of person. There were no airs or graces with him. He was a lovely soul. I’m very fortunate that I had the time I had with him. We went on days out like the Jolly Boys Outing. I went to Ukraine with him for a boxing convention [laughs]. I didn’t get a chance to thank him for what he’s done for me.”
Ryan Burnett (former world champion): “He was always having a laugh. I’d be in his house quite a bit with him, and once you take him away from the lights and the public, he became an even nicer man. I’ve been around these megastars and they create this persona for themselves, but with Rick it made no difference. He was a loveable rogue. He was very wild, he was unpredictable, but no matter what, everyone couldn’t help but love him.”
Arnie Farnell (former stablemate): “A genuine and down-to-earth person. It never seemed to me like he was down. He loved life and was the life and soul of the party. He was a great person.”
Adam Smith (commentator): “That he was the most accessible athlete I’ve ever worked with. I don’t remember somebody else who was so warm and giving with his time. He was serious about his career, but very funny. Rick was so down to earth, so real; relatable to everybody. It didn’t matter what they were, who they were, he treated everybody the same. He just wanted to be one of the boys.”
Mike Costello (commentator): “I was delayed arriving into Vegas for the Mayweather fight week in 2007 and was in danger of missing out on an interview with Ricky. Those close to him understandably didn’t want any hassle so early in fight week. But Ricky insisted on waiting around and gave me priceless insight into his preparation and his emotions. I bet many in the media have a similar story.”
Frank Warren (promoter): “As a person, very friendly with people, never refused any autographs. When he came to any shows, he was always spot on. He was just a really nice bloke and a real strong family man.”
Are there any moments from Ricky’s career that stand out for you?
Gorman: “I can remember staying up with my dad to watch Ricky beat Kostya Tszyu. I was only about 11 years old. I can remember when I was 16-17, watching his last fight against Senchenko. I went to a local pub. Even the people in the pub felt they lost. That’s the impact he had on people.”
Burnett: “When he leapt in with that massive left hook against Carlos Maussa. That left hook was something straight out of a dream. If you were going to knock someone out for a world title, that’s the way to do it.”
Farnell: “I remember when we were Juniors – I couldn’t believe what he was doing to people then. A 14-year-old lad knocking people clean out. The standout moment, though, was Ricky beating Kostya Tszyu.”
Smith: “It has to be Kostya Tszyu. Kostya was a pound-for-pound great and Ricky was a big underdog going into it. He would not be denied – nobody would have beaten Ricky Hatton that night.”
Costello: “The abiding memory of life in the slipstream of Hatton was the whole Mayweather fight week. The unprecedented vibe created by thousands of Brits arriving day by day left even the most seasoned Americans shaking their heads. “There’s only one … fighter who could’ve done that.”
Warren: “It’s got to be the Kostya Tszyu fight. At the time, Tszyu was one of the best in the world pound-for-pound and he was an animal. Nobody tipped Ricky to win it and he was a big underdog. What he did in the ring was unbelievably brilliant.”
What legacy does he leave?
Gorman: “You’re never going to get another person to mimic what Ricky has done. He was so loved. Everyone, including the grannies, loved Ricky. You’re never going to get someone again that takes 20,000 British fans – the working class, people who can’t afford it – to Las Vegas to see their man fight. I think he’s a national hero and a national treasure. He done it all with a twinkle in his eye.”
Burnett: “I’d be shocked if there’s anyone in this generation that’s going to be able to do it the way he did. His legacy is in a league of its own. I don’t know anyone that will have people love them and their career the way his fans did. He really was one in a billion.”
Farnell: “There will be no one like him again. No-one can take 20,000 people to watch you fight in America. He came to my son’s christening and everyone wanted a picture with him. He stood there and took pictures and signed everything. He was an amazing person.”
Smith: “He was real; one of the guys. He was a phenomenally talented, dedicated fighter who cut no corners. There won’t be anyone as popular. He’ll be remembered as a fabulous fighter, but more than that, a fabulous bloke, a great guy that related to everyone. It was a heck of a ride.”
Costello: A comment piece in the Las Vegas Review Journal once suggested that Border Control officials should bar Hatton from leaving the US, such was the atmosphere he generated in their city. And consider the million-plus PPV buys in the UK for the Mayweather fight, starting at 5am. Add that degree of impact to his ability and achievements and he has to rate among Britain’s finest.
Warren: “His legacy is happening now. The outpouring of love and affection for him. He was well-loved and a really nice bloke, and he was a brave bloke to talk about his mental health problems.”
RICKY HATTON IN HIS OWN WORDS
“I kept telling myself, ‘Don’t let your arse go now’, and I was looking across at Tszyu thinking ‘Everyone believes you’re going to destroy me, but you’ll need an Uzi to stop me tonight’.” (Boxing News)
“Fame has never been high on my agenda. I always laugh at people who strive to be famous because all you do is get mithered to death by everyone.” (BBC).
“I was leaving the hotel to get to the fight when my phone went and someone said ‘Hello Ricky, it’s Tom’. I said ‘Tom who?’ and when he said ‘Tom Jones’ I told him to eff off! I thought it was a wind-up!” (BBC)
“Show me a fighter who has an easy night every time, and I’ll show my ass in Woolworth’s window.” (Boxing News)
“I’ve got a problem with my legs – they just can’t walk past a chippy.” (BBC)
“Brock’s a big bloke, isn’t he? If you found him in bed with your girlfriend, you’d tuck him in!” (Hatton during the Brock Lesnar vs Randy Couture MMA fight)
“They will say, ‘I have mental health struggles, Ricky, and listening to you was very inspiring’, that’s what it is all about for me . And I still have mental health [struggles] but that’s my medicine.” (The Mirror)
“There were lots of celebrities at my fight. I heard through the grapevine Michael Caine was one… and not a lot of people know that!” (BBC)
