Matthew Hatton said that parents Carol and Ray did all they could to give them a great upbringing on the tough Hattersley council estate in Hyde
Ricky Hatton’s heartbroken younger brother Matthew is desperate for the world to know his tragic boxer sibling didn’t have a rough upbringing.
Matthew, 44, grew up with Ricky in a pub on the tough Hattersley council estate in Hyde, Manchester. His fighting icon brother was found dead by hanging at his home in Hyde on September 14, following years of battling depression.
Matthew has now hit out at what he is branding fake news claims that he and his brother had a rough childhood with their parents Carol and Ray.
He blasted on Instagram: “On my run this AM, got a little upset then smiled, running the road myself and our kid ran down literally thousands of times from kids to professional fighters.
“I smiled because it took me back to our childhood which was a very happy place. Heard the narrative over recent weeks we had a tough childhood, simply not true, some people love a good story and don’t let little things like the truth get in the way.
“Tough area yes, tough childhood definitely not. Wonderful years on Hattersley and great memories. Wanted for nothing materially or emotionally loved unconditionally. (Red heart emoji.)”
Matthew signed off his post: “Richard I miss you. (Blue heart emoji.) Mum and Dad Thankyou. X.”
Matthew accompanied the post with a montage of snaps of him and Ricky in their younger years and home video footage of them as kids playing with their mother.
Sitting on the edge of the Peak District, the Hattersley estate was built to rehouse families displaced by Manchester’s “slum clearance”.
It’s known as an “overspill” estate and has been blighted by unemployment, poverty, crime, anti-social behaviour and neglect.
But it’s most famous son is likely to stay Ricky Hatton, whose parents ran a string of pubs in the area. Despite his stellar boxing career, his life was blighted by drink and drug abuse, suicide attempts and depression.
The 46-year-old was found hanging by his manager Paul Speak, after last being seen by his family on September 12. Matthew, who is also a former boxer, said after a provisional inquest into his brother’s death: “I don’t think we ever did (think he would take his own life.)”
He added: “Has it hit me yet fully? I don’t know, probably not.”
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