A special edition celebrating the life and career of one of Britain’s greatest and most popular boxers
In boxing, there are a select special breed – few in number – whose light shines with such brilliance it enters the homes, then hearts of those who never pay to watch punches swapped. It seeps into showbiz and society. It turns champions into icons. It bathes those capable of casting the spell in a blanket of mass adulation.
Not many have been blessed with the charisma to claim a kingdom far beyond the ring’s canvas.
As we approach the one year anniversary of his death, our special edition ‘ There’s Only One Ricky Hatton’ is on sale now and celebrates the life and career of the Hitman as he became one of the country’s most loved sportsmen.
Frank Bruno, at his peak, possessed the hypnotic ability, so did Barry McGuigan. Before them, Henry Cooper had the magic. The combined flames of their fame did not burn as brightly as that of the undisputed people’s champion, Ricky Hatton.
It raged with an intensity that drew all ages and all cultures to it, with a ferocity that meant it was destined to be extinguished too quickly. The Pride of Hyde’s roots went far beyond the Greater Manchester town, spreading across the country.
To Mancunians, he was “one of us” – the Manchester City diehard talked their language, drank their beer, shared their love of fast food, listened with them to the music of Oasis. But his working class charm also seeped south, it even touched America: they “got him” too.
We take a look back at his life in the ring where Hatton was, for far too brief a time, simply untouchable, a ruthless, all-action machine who delivered body punches like a lumberjack wielding an axe.
His “seek and destroy” style merited the nickname “Hitman”. He was a 5ft 6ins bundle of controlled fury. His appearances attracted thousands in the UK, while we look back at the magical nights in Las Vegas where he was followed by an army of supporters.
He was a box office phenomenon who rewarded the faithful by seizing titles at light-welter and welterweight in sensational fashion.
We relive one of British boxing’s greatest moments when Ricky halted Kostya Tszyu in the emotionally charged setting of Manchester’s MEN Arena.
And we look back at his global super-fights. No other fighter could lure 30,000 fans to Las Vegas where Ricky faced legends Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Hatton – the fighter – was very, very special, and as a personality he was box-office.
When asked, during an appearance on daytime show Loose Women why he put on so much weight between contests, Ricky replied deadpan: “I have a lot on my plate.”
“I’ve got a problem with my legs,” he smirked. “I can’t walk past a chippy.”
There really only is one Ricky Hatton.
Click HERE to buy online and have it delivered directly to your door, or you can purchase it in participating supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in the UK from September 8, 2026. Online postage and packaging costs apply.