Ricky Hatton’s Heartbreaking Final Wish – To Be “One of the Boys”

Ricky Hatton Was Never The Polished Superstar Type. He wasn’t made for velvet ropes or soft-focus tributes. He was Manchester to the Bone – Cheeky, Working-Class, Loyal. And Four Days Before His Death at 46, he said What Mattered Most to Him, He Wanted to Be Remembered As “One of the Boys”.

The Man We Knew As The Hitman Was Found Dead At His Manchester Home Sunday, September 14. The shock ripped Through Boxing and Beyond. He’d Spences Throwing Hooks That Made Arenas Shake, Yet What He Craved Wasn’t More Belts or Headlines. It was belonging – Being Like Frank Bruno, adored by His Own City, and accepted by Fans Who Saw Themselves In Him.

“I Was A Man of the People”

Speaking to former World Champion Darren Barker in What became His Last Interview, Hatton Laid It Bare. “I am SO Proud When People Say ‘Our Frank’ and ‘Our Ricky’,” He said. “I am not saying We’re Lovably The Best Loved. The fans. “

He Added, “I Would Rather Be Ricky Hatton Than The Greatest Of All Time But Have Everyone Think I’m Ad *** Head.” For a Fighter Who Packed 22,000 Into The Men Arena and 30,000 Into Las Vegas, That Says It All. People Remember Me As A Helluva Fighter But Also A As One Of The Boys. “

Fame Never Changed The Kid From The Estate

Hatton Told Barker His Life Stayed Close to ITS Roots Even After Glory. “Life Changed for me and My family Tszyu. But i don’t think I’m on the house and the house that I have the Council Estate on. I Haven’t moved out of a 10-mile radius. “

“Even With The Nice Things, I Still Go Down My Local Night and Play Football On The Vets On A Sunday Mates I Went Mates, No Late Newcomers, Always The Same Mates.”

That stubborn loyalty – to pubs, to mates, to Manchester City, to the Same Old Streets – Was What Fans Felt. He was a Hero Who Could Walk Into Any Pub And Not to Buy A Pint. Kids Who Never Saw Him Fight Live Stop Stop For Photos Because Thiff Seen The Clips And Sensed The Realness.

Fighting His Own Shadows, Helping Others With Theirs

Hatton Didn’t Hide That Life After Boxing Hurt. The Losses to Mayweather and Pacquiao Left Scars, and depression Followed. But he refused to stay down. He got help. Then he used His Pain to help others.

“I didn’t want to tell me my mates or my family, I didn’t want to Worri Them So I Kept It,” He Told Barker. “I Went in the Gym or the Pub and Was The Party of Life and Soul, Even More Than Normal Because I Was Inside to Overcup?

“NOBODY KNEW HARD. IOUS I COULD I COULD I COULD HIM OR HIM, I COUD THIS OR HIM, BUT IT I CAN NEDD I NEDED TO SPEA AND IT’S BEST Thing I did.

“You feel You’re Better Than Your Family or Friends. In and You Keep It In and It Festers Away. “

After Getting Help, Hatton Used His Experience to Help Others. “Someone of My Boxers Tell Me Thank And Thank Me – That’s What’s What It’s What It’s What It’s All ‘Hey Said. Letters Arrived From People Who’d Heard His Story and Found Hope. That gave Him Purpose: “It Makes Me Feel Good That I Have Helped Other.”

A Fighter Who Never Left US LAT

Hatton Didn’t Want Statues or Sainthood. He Wanted To Be The Lad From The Street Who Made The Big But Never Looked Down On Anyyone. That’s rare in Boxing – Or Anywhere. And Maybe That’s Why The News of His Death Cuts So Deep.

He Lived Thrutal Nights, Public Defeats, Private Battles, And Still Found The Strength To Kid to Kid His Chin Up Just Days Before Hey Left US. IF That’s Not Greatness, What Is It?

Rest Easy, Ricky. You were One of the US – And You Always Will Be One of the Boys.

Watch The Full Interview: