A statue will be erected to honour the memory of legendary boxer Ricky Hatton.
Ricky Hatton sadly died in his home in Hyde on September 14, 2025, at the age of 46. More than one year on from his death, the shockwaves of his passing are still being felt across Greater Manchester.
The champion boxer was known across the globe for blockbuster fights against the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao. One of his most memorable moments was his brutal stoppage of Kostya Tszyu at the Manchester Arena.
In the wake of his death, an online petition to build a statue in Ricky’s honour was signed by more than 9,000 people. Now politicians in Tameside are looking to immortalise the fighter’s memory by building a statue in his honour.
Allan Hopwood, leader of Reform in Tameside, tabled a motion at the latest town hall meeting to get moving with the statue. He called for it to be built in either Hyde town centre or Hattersley – where Hatton grew up.
Coun Hopwood said: “Some people in this chamber may already know, but today, October 6, would have been Ricky Hatton’s 48th birthday. Ricky was a proud son of Tameside whose achievements in boxing and community engagement have inspired many people, young and old, across Tameside and far beyond.
“I knew Ricky personally and I boxed with him at the same venue when he was a schoolboy. I knew he was special then and I’ve watched him over the years.”
He said the project would be funded through fundraisers and not cost the town hall a penny. Coun Hopwood added that the community would also be included in the design creation for the statue.
When the Labour leadership attempted to change the motion to include another iconic Hyde athlete, marathon runner Ron Hill, it sparked tension in the chamber. Council leader Eleanor Wills said the changes would see the statues for both athletes brought into a strategic plan so they could ensure the projects are properly funded.
She pointed out that the former mayor of Greater Manchester, now Prime Minister Andy Burnham, vowed to create a statue and there were plans already in motion to do it.
Coun Leanne Feeley added: “We don’t disagree with the motion to create a statue, sculpture or piece of artwork for Ricky Hatton. But we also want to commemorate Ron Hill, who is also a significant figure.”
But opposition councillors disagreed with the addition. Coun Ged Cooney called the grouping of the statues into one project ‘unnecessary’.
The Labour amendment to the original motion failed, as the group was outvoted.
Coun Hopwood added: “He is a legend in this part of the world and we should recognise him. We shouldn’t be coming back with silly amendments. We should just get on and get it done.”
The original motion was unanimously approved, which means the council has committed to bringing forward the creation of a statue for the champion boxer.
Ricky’s battle with his own demons was well documented. But he will be remembered for his cheeky nature and humorous banter.
A massive Man City fan, Ricky was Mancunian through and through – he was brutally honest, down to earth and looked great wearing a bucket hat.
He will be remembered fondly across the world.
