Honour Ricky by helping boxers

FIGHTERS FACING RETIREMENT NEED MORE SUPPORT, SAYS FELLOW PROFESSIONAL AND PAL

- By MARK STANIFORTH

THEY were born three months and less than 10 miles apart and together they were destined to experience boxing’s euphoric highs and crushing lows.

Ricky Hatton and Anthony Farnell were the first headline acts of Manchester’s dramatic ascendency in the sport through the first decade of the new century, attracting ever-growing hordes of raucous fans as they rose through the ranks.

As unbeaten 20-year-olds, they travelled to Atlantic City to feature on the undercard of Naseem Hamed's world featherweight title fight against Wayne McCullough in 1998 and in time both would feel the adulation of having belts of their own wrapped round their waists in their beloved home city.

Sadly, the comparisons stretch long beyond those unforgettable Championship nights, with both men candidly admitting to having endured crippling mental health issues once the ring lights finally flickered out. An emotional Farnell paid tribute to Hatton, who was found dead at the age of 46 on Sunday morning, and believes it would be a fitting legacy for his friend if more channels could be opened to help boxers who may be struggling to face up to the end of their careers.