ECHO columnist Michael Ball has paid tribute to former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton who has died aged 46
Michael Ball travelled to Las Vegas when fellow Scouser Wayne Rooney carried the belt for Ricky Hatton as he knocked out Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico in the fourth round during their junior welterweight bout at Thomas & Mack Center on June 23, 2007
Michael Ball travelled to Las Vegas when fellow Scouser Wayne Rooney carried the belt for Ricky Hatton as he knocked out Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico in the fourth round during their junior welterweight bout at Thomas & Mack Center on June 23, 2007
ECHO columnist Michael Ball has paid tribute to the late Ricky Hatton and declared that “the whole of Britain adored him.” A former boxing world champion, the 46-year-old’s Hatton body was found at his home on Sunday.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Stockport-born Hatton won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across a glittering 15-year career and last fought professionally in 2012.
Scouser Ball, a lifelong Evertonian who started his career at Goodison Park, got to know the boxer during his own playing spell at Manchester City between 2007-09.
The pair were less than a year apart in age and Ball told the ECHO: “Obviously Ricky was a huge Man City fan. I went over to Las Vegas when Wayne Rooney took the belt for him and that was a fantastic occasion for him and the after-party, seeing his family and friends, all enjoying making history in that city.
“To be a part of all that was fantastic. When I was playing for Man City, Ricky came into the changing room quite a few times, especially ahead of the big games, to wish us all good luck.
“He was a man of the people. He wasn’t just a Manchester guy, I think the whole of Britain adored him because of the way he was, as a working class guy, doing really well in his sport and he was really down to earth.
“Hearing the news shocked me. I was watching my son playing football and I took a step back.
“It’s really sad for all his family and friends as he was such a nice guy. I just send my condolences to all of his loved ones and those who knew him.
Michael Ball, second from right, with Stuart McCall, Tony Cottee and Gareth Farrelly as former players walk on the pitch after the last Premier League game at Goodison Park between Everton and Southampton on May 18, 2025
Michael Ball, second from right, with Stuart McCall, Tony Cottee and Gareth Farrelly as former players walk on the pitch after the last Premier League game at Goodison Park between Everton and Southampton on May 18, 2025
“Ricky was second to none and really grounded. He had a love for his local football team and spent a lot of time there.
“To share moments with someone of that calibre was really nice. He didn’t have to do it, and I think he felt like he was the mascot at times.
“I think he loved having that opportunity though to speak to the manager and the players who were his heroes and he got close to quite a few of them. He’s going to be a huge loss, it’s really sad news.”