Ricky Hatton’s family releases funeral procession route

Boxer Ricky Hatton’s family has released the procession route ahead of his funeral next month.

The former world champion was found dead at his home in Hyde at the age of 46 on 14 September.

His funeral will be held at midday on 10 October at Manchester Cathedral.

Hatton’s family has shared a route for fans and community members wishing to pay their respects, which will begin at Cheshire Cheese on Stockport Road in Hyde.

The procession will then make its way to Harehill Tavern in Hyde before doves are released in Hatton’s honour at The New Inn in Salford.

It will continue through Hyde, pausing at Hatton’s Gym and passing Hyde Town Hall and the AO Arena, before finishing at Manchester Cathedral.

Mourners will then be able to continue on to Etihad Stadium, home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City Football Club, after the funeral.

On Sunday evening, hundreds gathered at an event to pay tribute to Hatton outside the gym he founded in his hometown.

The gym, which was officially opened by Muhammad Ali in 2009, invited members of the community to take part in a minute’s silence and to release balloons into the sky in Hatton’s honour on Sunday evening.

His friend and trainer Blain Younis told the crowd: “Ricky was the hero of this town, I think what made him the hero was how close he was to all of us.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a celebrity who was so accessible.”

Mr Younis said everyone in the town “has got a story with Ricky”.

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen anything hit a town so hard as this has,” he said.

“Coming together to do this today was something we needed to do.”

The crowd then applauded as they released blue and white balloons into the sky as Blue Moon, Manchester City’s club anthem, was played.