Ricky Hatton embodied the nickname he was given – ‘The People’s Champion’ – and the late boxer was one of the greatest characters the sport has ever seen with his antics
Ricky Hatton was dubbed ‘The People’s Champion’, and it’s obvious to see why through the love he received throughout his career and following his tragic death.
The champion boxer was found dead at his home at the age of 46. Hatton was due to attend an event on Saturday night but failed to arrive. He was eventually found on Sunday morning by his long-time manager and friend Paul Speak.
Hatton had his demons throughout his life, but he never failed to put a smile on the faces of those close to him and those who admired and adored him.
An incredible champion who has been remembered by so many left us with moments we can’t stop smiling at.
Here, Daily Star Sport looks at some of Hatton’s funniest moments.
Guinness on roller skates
After trying his hand at ice skating on ITV’s Dancing On Ice, Hatton returned to his local, having been the first celebrity to be voted off the show, with his partner Robyn Johnstone, who has paid a touching tribute to the late boxer.
Unable to don his ice skates at the bar, Hatton instead whacked on a set of wheels as he roller-skated up to grab a pint of Guinness.
But as Hatton scooted away, the camera panned to see the moment Hatton fell through a door before landing on his face, leaving his mates in the pub in tears of laughter.
‘Violent’ darts with Phil Taylor
‘The Hitman’ appeared on football show Soccer AM alongside darts legend Phil Taylor in 2002, where he showed his brilliant humour, describing a ‘violent’ night out with ‘The Power’.
Teasing that the pub sport is rougher than boxing ring, Hatton said: “I find it a bit violent though, darts.
“Me and Phil [Taylor] went down to the pub the other night, we were playing darts there, they rang the bell for last order and I chinned four of the regulars.”
His comments sparked a chorus of laughter from the studio and is still remembered as one of the best moments from the show.
Mayweather press conference
Hatton suffered the first defeat of his professional career against arguably the greatest to ever do it, in Floyd Mayweather; however, Hatton ran rings around ‘Money’ with the mic beforehand.
More than 30,000 Brits made the trip to Las Vegas for the fight and produced deafening support ahead of their welterweight title fight. And they were thoroughly treated with Hatton turning the press conference into his own stand-up comedy roast of Mayweather.
A montage of Hatton’s best quips were put together, with him hilariously starting his introduction saying: “Thank you for that reception. I’m sure the crowd would like to agree with me that if he dances like that in Dancing With The Stars, then he’s got f****** no chance,” referencing his rivals’ stint on the iconic American television show.
“I’ve missed my son, my six-year-old son, but I probably haven’t missed him quite as much as you would think because I’ve been fortunate to spend the full week with another f****** six-year-old,” Hatton quipped before looking in the direction of Mayweather.
Hatton also delivered another cracking line about Mayweather’s tactics, saying: “Floyd’s gonna run away all night – he says he isn’t, but he is – he’s gonna run away all night and I know I’m gonna have to be fast on my feet to catch him. So I’ve got two wonderful sparring partners coming in – Forrest Gump and Carl Lewis.”
Ricky Fatton
On the way to one of the greatest nights of his career against Paulie Malignaggi, Hatton mocked those who dubbed him ‘Ricky Fatton’ due to his weight fluctuations between fights during his career.
Hatton walked out to the rapturous Las Vegas crowd wearing a fat suit designed to look like one of his iconic light blue outfit as he stuck two fingers up to those critics after he continued to make weight again.
‘The Hitman’ went on to dominate the fight and defeat Malignaggi via an 11th-round TKO to retain his IBO and The Ring light-welterweight title.
Weakest Link
Hatton appeared on the strategic big money game show The Weakest Link, hosted by the sarcastic and brilliantly deadpan humour of Anne Robinson, but very few times was the iconic host outdone by wit.
After being voted off the show, Robinson told Hatton in her classic school teacher style: “Ricky – you were the weakest link in that round.”
To which he replied: “Probably because I get punched in the head for a living, Anne”.
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