Ricky Hatton funeral latest: Boxing legend to be honoured with Manchester procession after death aged 46

Hatton’s action-packed style earned him 45 wins and three defeats in 48 contests, but it was his down-to-earth attitude that particularly endeared him to his fellow pros and fans around the world.

This was proven when tens of thousands of people followed him to Las Vegas; where he fought two of the greatest fighters of his era, Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao; There were stories of fans in the UK singing ‘there’s only one Ricky Hatton’ and drinking Sin City dry booze in boxing folklore.

Hatton’s standout victory was perhaps his stoppage of Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in 2005.

Hatton suffered his first professional defeat in 2007 when he was stopped by Mayweather; Pacquiao’s violent second-round knockout two years later accelerated his decline from top-flight boxing.

A misguided comeback attempt against Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012 marked Hatton’s first public admission that he was struggling to cope with retirement.

Thousands of people are expected to come to Manchester to pay their respects to late boxing star Ricky Hatton.

Members of the public will be allowed to join the route of the funeral procession on Friday, as boxing and sports stars are also expected to pay tribute in Manchester.

After news of Hatton’s death emerged last month, tributes poured in, including from former world heavyweight champions Frank Bruno, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, fellow Brit Amir Khan, one-time foe Manny Pacquiao and Hatton’s hero Roberto Duran.

A funeral service will begin at Hatton’s local venue, the Cheshire Cheese Pub, at 9.45am and will proceed to Manchester Cathedral. Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets to reflect on his life and times.

The cortege includes stops at Hatton’s boxing gym and the AO Arena, where he spent some of his best nights; The highlight was arguably his first world title, beating the famous Kostya Tszyu on a raucous night 20 years ago.

Following a special memorial service at lunchtime, the memorial march will head towards the Etihad Stadium, home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City team.

Thousands of well-wishers are expected to gather in and around Manchester to remember the late boxing legend Ricky Hatton following his sudden death last month.

Today, a procession will start in Hyde at 9.45am and progress towards the city, followed by a funeral service at Manchester Cathedral at 12pm.

Independent Just four days after Hatton turns 47, he will be on site to speak to those gathered and convey the atmosphere of what is sure to be an emotional day.