LegendaryBritish and Manc boxer Ricky Hatton is hosting an exclusive ‘Evening With’ event for fans in his hometown later this year.
Born in Stockport but famously raised in a pub and the boxing gyms of Hattersley in Hyde, Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton is one of Greater Manchester’s most famous sporting sons – most certainly in the realm of combat sports – and while he may be long retired, he’s still decades of stories to tell.
With that in mind, the 46-year-old has decided to host ‘An Evening with Ricky Hatton‘ in partnership with Heroes and Legends Events, who specialise in bringing icons from various sports into a public forum for fans to hear from, meet and more.
His following is still strong, so he no doubt could have picked from many different venues, but just like with his local énergie Fitness gym, a.k.a. Ricky Hatton’s Health and Fitness Club, there’s nothing like the strength of home crowd and so he’ll rather fittingly be speaking at Hyde Town Hall.
The former WBA (Super), IBF, IBO; The Ring Light Welterweight Champion, and WBA Welterweight Champ’s event will see him discuss well over a decade in the discipline as a professional, as well his career since retiring, i.e. as a gym owner, promoter and trainer for other talents like his son, Campbell.
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It also coincides with the 20th anniversary of his watershed win over Kostya Tszyu in June 2005, a moment that changed his trajectory and British boxing for years to come.
‘The Pride of Hyde’ went from a pale teenage prospect to an internationally recognised name, winning multiple titles in his class, spending a good chunk of his career undefeated, and even going on to fight one of the greatest of all time, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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We still have faint memories of how big a deal it was back then, and they certainly made a spectacle of the night at the Arena.
You can see a retro Sky Sports clip of the night down below:
RICKY ROCKED THE WORLD👑
Here's how @HitmanHatton announced himself on the world scene on a memorable night in Manchester fifteen years ago today
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) June 4, 2020
With just a trio of losses and 32 knockouts from 45 wins to his name, he is one of the best to ever come out of the country, let alone Greater Manchester and having seen him run drills during an interview we did with him back in 2023, he’s still plenty handy now.
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Having been given an MBE for her services to sport and charity work back in 2013 and inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame just a couple of years later, his reputation doesn’t need any more explanation – it’ll be a fascinating talk to be sat in on.
There are a total of three evenings with Ricky Hatton this year but only one in his home county, with the Hyde Town Hall date set for Wednesday, 4 June – in line with the 20th anniversary of the seminal Kostya Tszyu fight.
While this new venture is focused on youth football, it’s their second in the United States after New York City FC and could help create new pro pathways into the sport at a grassroots level.
Introducing CFG franchise number 13: Man City North Texas FC.
As per an official statement on their website, “Man City North Texas FC delivers youth soccer programs for boys and girls aged 8–19, led by Manchester City coaches and built on the same coaching methodology developed within the Club.
“Every session is designed to help players become better soccer players, technically, tactically, and mentally, through modern, enjoyable training that builds confidence on and off the pitch.”
Basically serving as another academy setup across the pond, North Texas FC will no doubt help not only develop and create opportunities for aspiring young footballers over in the US, but likely serve as yet another feeder programme/outlet for tapping up the latest American talents.
We’ve already seen fairly recently examples such as ex-players Jack Harrison and Zack Steffen coming through the likes of New York and remaining on City’s wider books and either making the move over for a taste of first-team football or being loaned out to other teams.
Even if they ultimately go on to be sold, the aim is to help nurture youngsters and promise three main takeaways: an “authentic Manchester City methodology”, delivered by actual MCFC coaches, and a clear development pathway.
CITYCOACH gives coaches around the world access to the Manchester City methodology – sharing the knowledge, practices, and philosophy that shape how we develop players at every level ⚽️
This most recent ‘youth soccer club’ is just the latest in a long line of fresh Manchester City Football Programs created over the past decade or so, with coaching now being provided to children of all ages across a total of 38 cities in 14 countries.
At present, more than 40,000 kids are estimated to participate in these schemes every year, and thanks to Man City North Texas FC, that number is set to climb even further.
So, if you or someone you know happens to be based in or near the ‘Mean Green’ sporting hub of the ‘Lone Star State’, you can register interest HERE.
Meanwhile, in news closer to home, there are plenty of other big developments happening over at the Etihad Campus. Find out more down below.
The Premier League is keeping its crucial cap on away game ticket prices – for now
Danny Jones
The Premier League has announced it is extending its crucial price cap for away games, as the general cost of match tickets continues to creep up all over the country.
Most season card holders, be they here in Greater Manchester or elsewhere, are likely looking at their annual spending going up simply, so steps like these are key in keeping first division football as affordable as possible.
And that’s just the ongoing cost of living, let alone the clubs that are continuing the trend of charging more each year and, unfortunately, even pricing some supporters out entirely.
With that in mind, the news of England’s top-flight sides voting unanimously to keep the £30 cap intact for at least another two years comes as relief to those who spend most of the year putting their hard-earned cash towards following their team home and away.
BREAKING: The Premier League extend £30 cap on away tickets for another two seasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L336aZwmn3
Now confirmed to remain in place until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, travelling fans obviously still spend plenty of money on transport and so on every year, but at least they don’t have to worry about rising general admissions.
At least not for the time being…
Writing in a statement, the Premier League said: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for. Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82% to 91%.”
They also acknowledged the significant and regular funds that supporters still spend on these trips, with plenty of people online also praising the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which helped spearhead the campaign over a decade ago.
With so many other obstacles still getting in the way of fans making it to games either at their usual stadium or on an away day – not least of all the constant and increasingly frustrating rescheduling of fixtures – it’s good to see this isn’t an area the Prem are trying to target.
As always, the multi-billion-pound business can always seek out other, newer money spinners, and we’re absolutley certain they will. For instance, there’s at least one happening over in Spain that we’d happily see carried over here.
Following the news, this now means that fans will ultimately have enjoyed 12 back-to-back seasons of the benefit, and long may it continue.
Nevertheless, the biggest barrier for people to watch the beautiful game at its highest level in the UK remains the cost of standard tickets.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and more have already let matchgoers know that their season ticket prices will be going up, and the likes of Man City have already seen backlash for increasing rates amid the expansion of the Etihad Campus.
Danny Jones -
8th April 2025 
