Ricky Hatton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ricky Hatton MBE
Hatton in 2009
Statistics
Real name	Richard John Hatton
Nickname(s)	The Hitman The Manchester Mexican The Pride of Hyde Fatton
Rated at	Light-welterweight Welterweight
Height	5 ft 6 in
Reach	65 in
Born	(1978-10-06) 6 October 1978 (age 46) Stockport, Greater Manchester, England
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	48
Wins	45
Wins by KO	32
Losses	3

Richard John Hatton (born 6 October 1978) is a British former professional boxer. He competed from 1997 to 2012. After his boxing career, he became a boxing promoter and trainer.

During his time as a boxer, Ricky Hatton won many world championships. He held titles in the light-welterweight division and one in the welterweight division. In 2005, he was named "Fighter of the Year" by important boxing groups like The Ring magazine and ESPN.

In 2000, Hatton won the British light-welterweight title. The next year, he won the World Boxing Union (WBU) title. He defended this WBU title successfully fifteen times, which was a record from 2001 to 2004. His biggest achievement came in 2005 when he beat Kostya Tszyu. This win earned him the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and Ring titles. Later that year, he also won the World Boxing Association (WBA) title by defeating Carlos Maussa. This made him a unified light-welterweight world champion.

In 2006, Hatton moved up to the welterweight division. He won a tough fight against Luis Collazo to claim a world title in his second weight class. He returned to light-welterweight in 2007 and won the IBF title again, along with the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title. Later that year, Hatton faced his first career loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr.. In 2009, he lost his IBO and Ring light-welterweight titles to Manny Pacquiao.

After a long break from boxing, Hatton announced his retirement in 2011. However, in 2012, he decided to make a comeback. His first fight back was against Vyacheslav Senchenko, which he lost. After this defeat, Hatton announced his final retirement from the sport.

Ricky Hatton is known as one of the most popular British boxers ever. His fans were very loyal and traveled in large numbers to support him. In 2024, he was honored by being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Beginnings

Ricky Hatton was born in Stockport, England. He grew up in Hyde, Greater Manchester, where his family lived above a pub. He started training at a boxing club in Hyde.

Both his grandfather and father played football for Rochdale. Ricky even had a trial for their youth team. When he was 14, his uncles took him to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium to watch a big boxing match.

After leaving school, Hatton worked in his family's carpet business. But after an accident where he hurt his fingers, his father made him a salesman. This was to keep him from getting more injuries. Hatton is a big fan of Manchester City football club. His special entrance music for fights was the club's song, "Blue Moon."

Amateur Boxing Career

Hatton had a short but successful amateur career. He won seven British titles and represented England in the 1996 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships.

His time as an amateur ended with some controversy. In the semi-finals of a championship, four out of five judges thought Hatton won. But because of the scoring rules, he lost. It was later found that one judge had taken a bribe. Feeling disappointed with the amateur boxing system, Hatton decided to become a professional boxer at 18 years old.

Amateur Achievements

• ABA national junior champion (class C) – light-welterweight (1994)
• ABA national junior champion (class A) – light-welterweight (1995, 1996)
• ABA national junior champion (class B) – light-welterweight (1997)
• ABA national champion – light-welterweight (1997)

Professional Boxing Career

Light-Welterweight Division

Early Fights

Ricky Hatton's first professional fight was on September 11, 1997. He won by a technical knockout (TKO) in the first round. For his second fight, he boxed at Madison Square Garden in New York. He often fought on the undercards of bigger British boxing matches. In 1999, he was named "Young Boxer of the Year" by the British Boxing Writers' Club.

His first international title came in May 1999. He beat Dillon Carew to win the WBO inter-continental light-welterweight title. Hatton won his next four fights quickly. Then, he won the WBA Inter-Continental title. In October 2000, he fought Jon Thaxton for the vacant British title. Hatton won on points, even though he got a cut above his eye. This was the first time he fought for all twelve rounds. He had surgery on his eyebrow to fix the cut. In March 2001, Hatton won the vacant WBU title.

Hatton vs. Tszyu

On June 5, 2005, Hatton fought Kostya Tszyu. Tszyu was considered one of the best boxers in the world at the time. Hatton was not expected to win this fight. However, he defeated Tszyu by TKO when Tszyu could not continue after the eleventh round. This victory was a huge moment for Hatton. It showed everyone that he was one of the top boxers in the world. Many people called it one of the best wins by an English boxer in 20 years.

Unifying the Light-Welterweight Titles

On November 26, 2005, Hatton won the WBA light-welterweight title. He defeated Carlos Maussa in the ninth round. This win made him a unified world champion. In December, The Ring magazine named Hatton their "Fighter of the Year" for 2005.

Hatton later gave up his IBF title in March 2006. He wanted to move up to the welterweight division.

Welterweight Division

Hatton training in 2006

Hatton vs. Collazo

Hatton moved up a weight class to fight American Luis Collazo for the WBA welterweight title. This fight took place on May 13, 2006. Hatton won the title from Collazo. He started strong, knocking Collazo down in the first few seconds. But it became one of the hardest fights of his career.

Return to Light-Welterweight

Hatton vs. Urango

Hatton's first fight back at light-welterweight was against IBF champion Juan Urango. This fight was on January 20, 2007, in Las Vegas. Hatton won by a unanimous decision (UD) after twelve rounds. This meant he won back the IBF light-welterweight title.

Hatton vs. Castillo

Hatton had to give up his IBF title again to fight José Luis Castillo. The fight happened on June 23, 2007. In the fourth round, Hatton landed a powerful punch to Castillo's body. Castillo could not stand up and was counted out. This was the first time Castillo had been knocked out in his career.

Return to Welterweight

Hatton vs. Mayweather Jr.

Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr., 2007

On December 8, 2007, Hatton fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a big welterweight match. This fight was seen as one of the most important welterweight fights in years. It took place in Las Vegas.

Hatton started the fight strongly, putting pressure on Mayweather. In the first round, Hatton hit Mayweather with a jab that made him lose his balance. However, in the third round, Mayweather cut Hatton above his right eye. In the sixth round, the referee took a point away from Hatton for hitting Mayweather on the back of the head. Hatton was upset by this decision.

Mayweather started to take control in round eight. In round ten, Mayweather knocked Hatton down. Hatton got up, but Mayweather continued his attack. The referee stopped the fight, and Hatton's corner threw in the towel. This was Hatton's first professional loss. The fight was very popular and got a lot of attention.

Second Return to Light-Welterweight

Hatton vs. Lazcano

Hatton in 2008

On May 24, 2008, Hatton fought Juan Lazcano in Manchester, England. About 55,000 fans came to watch, which was a record for a boxing match in Britain after World War II. Hatton won by a unanimous decision. He controlled most of the fight, using his jab well. Even though he was hurt by a left hook in round eight and again in round ten, Hatton outworked Lazcano to win.

Hatton vs. Malignaggi

Hatton then fought Paulie Malignaggi of the United States on November 22, 2008. Hatton was trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr. for this fight. Hatton dominated the entire fight. He defeated Malignaggi by TKO in the eleventh round when Malignaggi's trainer stopped the fight.

Hatton vs. Pacquiao

Hatton with his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. (left), Manny Pacquiao (second from right) and Freddie Roach, 2009

Hatton fought Manny Pacquiao on May 2, 2009, in Las Vegas. This fight was at light-welterweight, a weight class where Hatton had never lost before. Pacquiao defeated Hatton by a knockout (KO) in the second round. Pacquiao knocked Hatton down twice in the first round and then again in the second round.

After this loss, Hatton took a long break from boxing. He later said he wasn't sure if he would fight again.

Final Comeback at Welterweight

Hatton vs. Senchenko

On September 14, 2012, Hatton announced he would return to professional boxing. Tickets for his comeback fight sold out very quickly. His opponent was Vyacheslav Senchenko. Hatton had lost a lot of weight to prepare for this fight, going from about 98 kg (15 stone 6 pounds) down to 67 kg (10 stone 7 pounds).

Hatton started the fight well, but Senchenko used his longer reach to land punches. As the fight went on, Senchenko gained control. In the ninth round, a left hook to the body sent Hatton to the floor. Hatton was counted out by the referee. This was his third loss. He immediately announced his final retirement from boxing, saying he realized he no longer had what it takes.

Life Outside the Ring

Hatton Health and Fitness - Hatton's gym in his home town of Hyde, Greater Manchester.

Hatton speaking at an event in Staines-upon-Thames, April 2024

Ricky Hatton is a big fan of Manchester City football club. His father and grandfather both played for the club. His nickname, "The Hitman," came from his amateur coach who saw how powerfully he hit the boxing bag.

Hatton was sometimes called "Ricky Fatton" by fans. This was because he would gain a lot of weight between fights. He was known for enjoying a full English breakfast before fights and drinking Guinness. Some experts believed his diet between fights affected his performance later in his career.

In 2007, Hatton was given the MBE award for his contributions to sport. In 2023, a documentary about his career called Hatton was released. It was nominated for a BAFTA award in 2024. In 2024, Hatton also competed in the TV skating competition Dancing on Ice.

Family Life

Ricky Hatton's mother, Carol, still works at a carpet stall. His father, Ray, used to be his manager and also manages Ricky's brother, Matthew Hatton, who is also a boxer.

Ricky has a son named Campbell. Campbell has followed in his father's footsteps and is now a professional boxer. He is trained by Ricky's brother, Matthew.

Charity Work

Hatton supports many charities. He has helped raise money for children's newspapers and homeless charities like Barnabus. He has also been a special guest speaker at charity events, helping to raise a lot of money through donations and auctions.

Fans and Popularity

Hatton's fans were very loud and supportive during his fights. They often sang a special version of the Christmas song "Winter Wonderland" with lyrics changed to support Hatton. They also liked to chant "Who Are Ya?" to taunt his opponents.

Hatton Promotions

Hatton has his own boxing promotion company called Hatton Promotions. This company helps other boxers with their careers. In 2017, Zhanat Zhakiyanov became the first boxer from Hatton Promotions, and trained by Hatton, to win a world championship.

Training Career

Besides promoting, Ricky Hatton is also a boxing manager and trainer. He trains several boxers, including Nathan Gorman and Irish champion Paul Upton. He also trains Tommy Fury, who is the younger brother of famous boxer Tyson Fury. Hatton was even in Tyson Fury's corner for his fight against Deontay Wilder. In 2023, Hatton helped Chloe Watson win the vacant European female flyweight title.

Professional Boxing Record

Exhibition Boxing Record

Pay-Per-View Fights

Images for kids

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  Hatton making fun of himself as "Ricky Fatton" in 2008.