Blue balloons fill the sky as hundreds say goodbye to Ricky

Hundreds of blue balloons floated into the sky over Hyde as the community came together to say a special ‘goodbye’ to boxing legend Ricky Hatton.

The tribute was staged at Hatton Health and Fitness on Sunday evening, the Hyde based gym Ricky founded in 2009, and which was famously opened by Muhammad Ali.

Although the gym joined the Energie Fitness group 10 years later, it continues to carry the local hero’s name.

The gym announced details of the minute’s silence and balloon release last week, inviting everyone who would like to go along and pay their respects to Ricky.

Tributes have poured in from around the globe to the boxing world champion, who was found dead at his home in Gee Cross on September 14. He was 46.

Meanwhile, Ricky’s family have shared the first details of the funeral arrangements for the much-loved boxing champion, giving fans the opportunity to say a final farewell.

Hyde-based funeral directors Frank Massey and Son Ltd have confirmed that a service celebrating Ricky’s life will be held at Manchester Cathedral at midday on Friday, October 10.

The service itself will be invitation-only, but members of the public will have the chance to pay their respects as the funeral procession makes its way towards the cathedral.

In a moving statement, his family said: “He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

“To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions - a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.

“He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.”

The family added that they have been “deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support,” describing Ricky’s legacy as one that will “forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.”