Boxing legend Ricky Hatton left behind three children following his untimely death at the of 46 last weekend, including his son Campbell.
Campbell, 24, followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the world of professional boxing. He made his pro debut in 2021 and won his first 14 matches before two consecutive losses in 2024.
While Campbell Hatton retired from boxing earlier this year, his relationship with his dad remained close.
On Wednesday, Campbell addressed his father’s death publicly for the first time on social media.
‘Heartbroken isn’t the word’
In his first official comments on the tragedy, Campbell Hatton paid tribute to his father in an emotional Instagram post.
“Heartbroken isn’t the word,” Campbell wrote in the caption alongside photos of the two. “Everybody has always said I was your double – never a truer word said. Looked up to you in every aspect of life.”
“Can’t explain how much I’m going to miss the laughs we had and all the good times which I will remember forever. Just can’t believe we won’t have anymore. Love you dad,” he added.
Scrolling through those photos, it is clear that Ricky and Campbell weren’t just alike in their love of boxing. The two also bore a striking resemblance.
“I love you Campbell,” wrote Jack Hatton, his cousin and Ricky’s nephew, in the comments.
Hatton family ‘distraught’
Also on Wednesday, the Hatton family released its own official statement on Ricky’s Instagram account.
“We are all distraught at the events of recent days. To all our knowledge, despite his well-documented struggles, Richard was in a good place,”the statement reads.
Hatton, a multi-time world champion in two different weight classes, was working on a boxing comeback later this year in Dubai at the time of his death. He was discovered in his home in Hyde, Tameside Sunday morning by his longtime friend and manager Paul Speak.
“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,” Greater Manchester Police said.
