Boxing legend Ricky Hatton has been awarded the freedom of London – and the occasion will be marked with a special boxing match.
It’s not long since the boxer announced his surprise comeback 13 years since his last professional bout, as he returns to the ring to face Eisa Aldah in Dubai on December 2.
But before he returns to the ring, Ricky will be given a major boost as he is granted the freedom of the city of London – despite being from Manchester and spending most of his career in the north west.
The event, on October 8, will be marked by the Lord Mayor’s Charity Boxing Match, where firefighters from both the London and New York fire brigades will duke it out at the Guildhall.
Ricky isn’t the only boxer being honoured: former British and Commonwealth champion Michael Watson, and boxing promoter Barry Hearn, are also being awarded the freedom of the city.
And they’ll even see The Lord Mayor, Alderman Alastair King step into the ring for a special bout against a surprise opponent from New York.
Ricky said: ‘I’m absolutely chuffed to bits to be given the Freedom of the City of London – it’s a real honour and something I never imagined happening to me.
‘London’s always held a special place in my heart and been the location for many of my fights, most memorably when I won the WBU light welterweight world title at Wembley conference centre against Tony Pep, so to be recognised like this means a lot.
‘I’m really looking forward to the Lord Mayor’s boxing night at the Guildhall – it’ll be a great night for a great cause, and I can’t wait to be part of it.’
The black-tie charity event will raise money to support firefighters and members of the UK fire services.
Ricky Hatton has an enviable record, having won 45 of his 48 professional matches during his 15-year career.
He won world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight, with two of his three losses coming against fellow greats Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.
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He hasn’t fought since losing a comeback bout with Vyacheslav Senchenko in November 2012, the year he retired.
Since his retirement, Ricky has been busy training other fighters in his gym in Manchester.
And it seems boxing runs in the family as hiss 24-year-old son Campbell has also entered professional boxing, winning 14 of his 16 fights so far.
But he will return to the ring later this year, two months after turning 47, in a thrilling comeback for boxing fans.
Speaking earlier this month, Ricky said: I can’t wait, I’m really looking forward to it.’
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