Sport

Ricky Hatton announces return to the boxing ring at 43 years old

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 21st April 2022

Ricky Hatton has announced he’ll return to the boxing ring, a decade after his retirement from the sport.

The Hitman, 43, has agreed to an exhibition bout against boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera.

The Stockport-born former world champion will be back in front of his home crowd at the AO Arena this summer.

Taking place on 2 July, Hatton said the fight – his first since 2012 – is a ‘dream’.

It will be in support of mental health charity Andy’s Man Club, and the sportsman hopes it will lift spirits after the pressures of lockdown.

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Ricky Hatton has announced his return to the ring. Credit: Twitter, HitmanHatton

Hatton said: “It’s been a tough time for all of us and I’ve lost friends through mental health due to COVID.

“Now we’ve almost come out the other end it’s going to be a nice thing to do for the fans – and more like a festival than a boxing show.

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“Hopefully it can also show people what they can achieve if they just get off their sofas and put themselves out there.”

He added: “I know my days are numbered but it doesn’t matter how old you are, you still have to keep setting yourself targets to get out of bed at four in the morning and train – and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

He posted on Twitter: “I can confirm my return to the ring. Join me for a huge party night – with top music acts – in Manchester on July 2. #HitmanRises.

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“It’s not how you fall, it’s how you rise…”

48-year-old Barrera will fly into the UK for a news conference on Sunday ahead of the eight-round exhibition fight.

Read more: Manchester United condemns fans for ‘offensive’ Hillsborough chants at Anfield

Hatton said: “He’s a great friend and neither of us will be taking liberties – but Marco will definitely be coming over here to try to give me a boxing lesson – and that’s where the competitiveness will kick in. 

“We’ll both be putting on a show for everyone.”

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MMA stars Dan Hardy, Diego Sanchez will also feature on a celebrity-packed bill which will also feature music from Tion Wayne and Bad Boy Chiller Crew.

Tickets for The Hitman Rises, Hatton vs Barrera at the AO Arena Manchester go on sale from 10am on Wednesday 27 April.

Featured image: Twitter, HitmanHatton

Sport

Manchester’s Club de Padel claps back at ’embarrassing’ copycat ASOS product

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A local Manchester business has sarcastically pointed out the glaring similarities between a new t-shirt on ASOS and one of its own designs.

Club de Padel has a range of retro-inspired merch with UN:IK, a small independent streetwear brand also based here in Manchester.

Its collection of t-shirts, hoodies, tracksuits, hats and bags often feature a design of an illustrated padel ball (which to the untrained eye is basically a tennis ball) in motion.

But this week a t-shirt appeared on ASOS that also featured an illustrated padel ball in motion, just in a slightly different colour palette.

The ASOS version, which has now been removed from sale, also undercut Club de Padel’s price by £6.

Since Club de Padel took the ’embarrassing’ copycat product public on their Instagram page, ASOS has launched an investigation and taken it off their website.

The sports venture, based at Deansgate Square and the only padel club in Manchester, wrote: “Love the new designs ASOS, kinda reminds us of something though…

The ASOS t-shirt that Club de Padel has said copies their merch. Credit: ASOS
The ASOS t-shirt that Club de Padel has said copies their merch. Credit: ASOS
Club de Padel's t-shirt created by Manchester brand UN:IK
Club de Padel’s t-shirt created by Manchester brand UN:IK. Credit: Club de Padel

“Ah. Well that’s embarrassing… We’ve got a new line coming soon with UN:IK Clothing you’re just gonna love ASOS.

“In the meantime we made this for you @asos, save your design team a job.”

An ASOS spokesperson said: “We take intellectual property issues very seriously and have removed this product from sale while we investigate further.”

Of the Club de Padel and UN:IK collaboration, aka the real deal, UN:IK says it has ‘served up a staple for us, retro inspired leisure pieces with Manchester’s first ever padel club’.

Club de Padel in Manchester has gone public to poke fun at ASOS

They wrote: “Inspired by owners after a trip to Spain, Club de Padel has hit the city with a wave and the lifestyle brand we have created with them reinforces the fastest growing sport across Europe.

“Our classic vintage washes and oversized fits, working with independent designs as always on this local independent partnership. Don’t be afraid to the sport, we’ll guarantee you love it as much as these clothes.”

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Featured image: Club de Padel

Sport

Manchester Remembers release unbelievable new kits featuring iconic Manc landmarks for 2024 charity match

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Remembers kits 2024

The Manchester Remembers Foundation have just released the official kit designs for this year’s upcoming charity football match and they’re utterly amazing.

The 2024 Manchester Remembers charity game is fast approaching, with this year’s edition set to take place in July and the excitement is really starting to build – especially with kits as eye-catching as these.

Roping in help from local media and production company Badger and Coombes, as well as getting Lionesses legend Sue Smith involved in the kit launch, the brand new Legends and Celebs kits have finally been revealed in extremely fine fashion.

Lovingly made once again by Oldham-based kit manufacturers, Hope and Glory, and with Salfordian fashion brand Marc Darcy Menswear serving as the main sponsor, the new shirt designs feature incredibly detailed drawings of recognisable locations around Manchester. Just look at them:

The 2024 Manchester Remembers kits have officially been unveiled.

As you can see, iconic Manc landmarks like Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium take pride of place in the semi-opaque sublimated pattern on both the white and black versions of the kit.

Other noticeable buildings include Manchester Cathedral, the Central Library, Manchester Central (formerly the GMEX) and even a nice little nod to the Metrolink and Bee Network, just to name a few.

The incredibly detailed design pays homage to the city we all know and love and is a big step up from the already very well-received kits from last year’s charity match.

Once again, all the proceeds from the shirt sales go straight back into the Manchester Remembers Foundation and its partnered charities, which raise money for the families of those sadly lost in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

Celebs strip
Legends kit
You can pre-order the shirts ahead of their release in May HERE and they’re very affordable compared to most footy kits these days.

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With a whole host of exciting names taking part in the 2024 edition of the charitable community-driven event, including ex-Manchester United stars Antonia Valencia and Danny Simpson, local celebs like soap star Adam Thomas, YouTuber ‘Angry Ginge’ and many more, it’s going to be a momentous day.

This year marks just the third time the game has been held but the amazing people attached to this non-profit, not to mention the thousands that have turned up to see the wholesome fixture, have already helped raise over £117k for the associated charities. Unbelievable stuff.

Returning to Oldham Athletic‘s Boundary Park for the second year running, tickets for the game on Sunday, 28 July are already available and priced at only a fiver for under 16s and just £10 for adults, it’s one of the most uplifting and affordable afternoons of live sport you’ll find the region.

If you’ve not heard about this truly inspiring annual match until now, you can find out more HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester Remembers Foundation/Badger and Coombes

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