Campbell Hatton has revealed that while his family has been unable to grieve privately since the death of his father, boxing legend Ricky Hatton, the overwhelming public support has become an unexpected "blessing."
Ricky Hatton, the former world light-welterweight and welterweight champion, passed away in September 2025 at the age of 46. His funeral procession the following month saw thousands of fans line the streets from Hyde to Manchester Cathedral.
"As a family we've not been able to grieve with any privacy," Campbell told BBC Radio Manchester. "There are negatives that come from that, but the positive is that people walking down the street say nice things and check up on us. That's the blessing behind it."
Campbell, who has also boxed professionally, reflected on the surreal experience of witnessing his father's popularity firsthand during the funeral.
"It shocked me the most at the funeral. There wasn't a part of the route that wasn't full of people. You couldn't see a bit of pavement for the three hours we were in the car," he said. "We knew how popular he was, but to actually see it in front of you was something else. To everyone, it's heartbreaking—the whole country and the sport lost Ricky Hatton. But to me, he was just my dad."
A Celebration of Legacy
The Hatton family is channeling this communal grief into a celebratory event. "Evening4Ricky" will be held at Manchester Arena on June 7—a venue where Ricky enjoyed some of his greatest career triumphs.
Campbell described the upcoming event as "a celebration and a party" for the much-loved boxer.
"I think everyone in boxing, if they're available, wants to be here. That is a testament to the man he was," he said. "I think it will be impossible for it to end up being a sad occasion. It's going to be a great night."
Continuing the Fight: The Ricky Hatton Foundation
The event will raise funds for the Ricky Hatton Foundation, a mental health charity established the month after Ricky's death. The foundation aims to raise awareness, combat stigma, and offer support through talking therapies and community programmes.
Ricky had been open about his struggles with mental health, substance abuse, and past suicide attempts following his retirement from boxing.
Campbell emphasized the urgent need for such initiatives, linking the foundation's mission directly to his father's legacy and personal tragedies.
"I think it's getting a worse and worse problem. Just before my dad passed away, I lost one of my best mates to suicide as well," the 25-year-old said. "It's a problem that is not going to go anywhere unless we do something about it. The more we can do, the better."
He sees the foundation as a crucial way to honor his father's memory by addressing the very issues Ricky battled publicly, ensuring his legacy extends far beyond the boxing ring.