Ricky Hatton’s son, Campbell Hatton, expressed that despite the global sorrow over losing the renowned champion, Ricky was simply a father figure to him. Campbell shared his gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by thousands of people who lined the streets of Manchester to honor his father at the Hitman’s funeral. Reflecting on the upcoming event on June 7 at the AO Arena to commemorate his father’s legacy, Campbell described the outpouring of love and respect as remarkable but acknowledged the challenge his family faced in grieving the loss of his father, who was, to him, just a dad.
The funeral service, which took place at Manchester Cathedral in October the year before, saw stars from the sports and entertainment worlds join mourners to pay their respects to Ricky, who tragically passed away at home. Campbell recounted the emotional journey of the funeral car through the city, noting the overwhelming support from the public that underscored his father’s immense popularity.
Campbell highlighted the upcoming Evening4Ricky event as a fitting tribute to his father, emphasizing that it would be a celebration in line with Ricky’s spirit. He stressed the importance of using the event to raise awareness about mental health issues and support relevant charities, noting the increasing severity of mental health challenges and sharing a personal experience of losing a close friend to suicide.
Acknowledging his father’s struggles with mental health, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts, Campbell emphasized the significance of open dialogue about mental health to prevent tragedies like his father’s passing. He also mentioned the coroner’s findings regarding Ricky’s death, which suggested uncertainty about his intentions.
With a mix of emotions surrounding the commemorative event at the AO Arena, Campbell expressed the family’s desire to honor his father’s legacy by promoting mental health awareness in his memory. Despite the public scrutiny and lack of privacy in their grieving process, Campbell found solace in the support and care shown by people, viewing it as a silver lining amidst the tragedy.