Ricky Hatton's life and career as he is romantically linked to fellow Dancing on Ice star Claire Sweeney

Ricky Hatton is usually a name that comes up when top British boxers is a topic of conversation. The Stockport fighter won 45 out of 48 bouts, 32 of these by knockout. 

During a professional career lasting 12 years, Hatton battled his way to multiple titles and took part in many memorable fights. He made regular appearances at the MEN Arena in Manchester and made it his home venue over the years. 

Hatton has always been a passionate Manchester City fan, and once had trials with the City youth team. In more recent times, Ricky took to the ice in ITV’s skating competition Dancing On Ice. 

Early life in Greater Manchester

Ricky Hatton was born in Stockport in October 1978. His early life was spent growing up in a pub in Hyde, and his interest in boxing saw him join a club that was also in Hyde. 

Hatton had a relatively short amateur career. Yet in this time he was able to win seven British titles and represent his country at the 1996 Youth Boxing Championships. 

Going professional

Hatton stepped into the ring for his first professional fight on September 11 1997.  Colin McAuley was his opponent and he was defeated by Technical Knockout in the first round. Hatton’s second match saw him fight on an undercard at New York’s Madison Square Gardens. 

This trend continued and he found himself being placed in bigger and better cards as the years went on. In 1999 he was voted the British Boxing Writers' Club Young Boxer of The Year. In the new millennium the fights, wins and titles all continued and in November 2005 he won the WBA light-welterweight title, defeating Carlos Maussa. 

For the last few years of his career, Hatton moved around between the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions. In 2006 he won the WBA Welterweight title, and by the time he hung up his gloves at what was then a temporary hiatus of his career, Hatton had been defeated by Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny ‘The Pacman’ Pacquiao who was known for his rapid hitting. 

By the end of his professional career, Hatton won WBA (Super), IBF, IBO and The Ring Light Welterweight Champion, and WBA Welterweight Champion. Now, he’s taken to training the next generation.

Becoming a coach and Campbell Hatton

Since calling it a day in the ring, Hatton has embarked on a coaching career. He has previously coached Tommy Fury, brother of world champion Tyson. Hatton was in Tyson’s corner for his 2018 win against Deontay Wilder. Hatton has several other boxers under his wing, and is also a manager in the sport. 

Despite Ricky no longer getting in the ring himself, the Hatton name lives on in terms of fighting. Ricky’s son, Campbell, is working his way up as a young boxer and has to date won 14 of his 15 fights. 

Campbell has fought around the world including the UAE, Spain, Gibraltar and multiple times across England. He was victorious when appearing on the undercard of  Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk in 2021. 

Dating Claire Sweeney? 

Outside of boxing altogether, Ricky Hatton’s love life is something that has caught people’ attention. The Hitman and actor Claire Sweeney struck up a connection whilst competing against each other on Dancing on Ice, and things look to be going well for the pair.