'I've known Ricky for 40 years. It’s incredibly difficult to accept that he is gone'

Ricky Hatton 1978-2025

- By ADAM MAIDMENT

A LIFELONG FRIEND of Ricky Hatton - who is also godfather to his brother's children - is set to pay homage to the boxing legend at a Manchester festival this weekend.

Former world champion boxer Ricky, 46, was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester by his manager on Sunday morning. Greater Manchester Police said that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Rob Brierley went to primary school with Ricky and his brother Matthew in Hyde, Tameside, and stayed in touch with the pair ever since. Now a school teacher, Rob also runs the Made in Manchester festival, which Ricky regularly attended.

“I've known him for 40 years,’ Rob said. “It's incredibly difficult to accept that he is gone. It's been a very emotional few days.”

This weekend, the Made in Manchester festival will take place at Bredbury St Marks Cricket Club with an estimated crowd of 4,500. The sellout event will also now feature a tribute to the boxing champion.

“We spoke to the family and they said they'd love it if we did something to honour Ricky,’ Rob says. “NK Theatre Arts will be doing a choral tribute to Oasis's Don’t Look Back in Anger and we'll also have the tribute act Oasis Supernova playing.

“This was already planned a few months back, but it does sort of feel like it was meant to be now. Ricky loved Oasis, he was a big fan. In fact, the last time I saw him was at their gig in Dublin.

“Two weeks ago, I met up with him there for a catch-up. He was in really good spirits, he was telling jokes and getting selfies with people. He was just his usual jovial self.”

As a schoolteacher, Rob also taught national amateur champion Jack Murphy, who was being professionally trained in the sport by Ricky as well as Blain Younis.