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.
Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Danny Jones -
8th April 2025 
