Funeral procession route for Ricky Hatton announced

The family of beloved boxing champion Ricky Hatton has released details of the route his funeral procession will take next week, giving fans the opportunity to say their final goodbyes to the Hyde-born sporting hero.

Hyde-based funeral directors Frank Massey and Son Ltd confirmed that a service celebrating Hatton’s life will be held at Manchester Cathedral at 12 noon on Friday, October 10^th. While the service itself will be private and invitation-only, the public is invited to line the streets along the procession route to pay their respects.

The cortege will set off from Cheshire Cheese on Stockport Road, Gee Cross, Hyde at 9:45am, passing by many familiar landmarks from Hatton’s life and career. It will travel through Hyde town centre, Denton, and Gorton before reaching Manchester city centre.

Key pauses along the way will include Harehill Tavern, The New Inn for a dove release, and Hatton’s Gym, the fitness centre Ricky founded in 2009. The procession will then pass Hyde Town Hall and landmarks such as Betta Bodies Gym and the AO Arena, before arriving at the cathedral via Victoria Street.

Ricky’s family said they were “deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support” since the 46-year-old was tragically found dead at his home in Gee Cross on Sunday, September 14.

In an earlier statement, they described the former two-weight world champion as “so much more than a world champion - a loving father, grandfather, brother and true friend to many. He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.”

Tributes have poured in from across the sporting world and beyond for the fighter nicknamed “The Hitman”, who was widely admired for his grit in the ring and his openness about life’s challenges outside of it.

The family said Ricky’s legacy would “forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.”