The nice and the great of the boxing world had been amongst 1000’s of mourners who mentioned an emotional farewell to world champion Ricky Hatton at his funeral earlier.

Hatton, whose ardour, character and expertise drew enormous crowds all through his profession, was discovered lifeless at his house in Hyde, Larger Manchester, on 14 September on the age of 46.

The boxer’s son Campbell, who adopted his father into the boxing ring, paid tribute throughout the service at Manchester Cathedral.

“I am unable to clarify how a lot I’ll miss you, dad, and that we cannot be making any new reminiscences – however the ones we did I’ll cherish perpetually,” he mentioned.

“Rising up I seemed as much as my dad in each side of life whether or not or not it’s following in a profession in boxing like he did or the best way he carried himself out of the ring.

“However all of that was fuelled by the love I had and all the time may have for him.”

Hatton’s mom Carol mentioned in an announcement learn on her behalf: “‘The Hitman’ was adored by his military of followers – the Individuals’s Champion, and he would say that is how he would wish to be remembered.

“Lengthy earlier than this accolade he was our little champion from the day he was born.”

Amongst these attending had been boxers Frazer Clarke and Natasha Jonas, former boxers Amir Khan, Scott Welch, Frank Bruno, Barry McGuigan and Anthony Crolla, former Manchester Metropolis footballer Mike Summerbee, pundit and former footballer Chris Kamara and Hatton’s former coach Billy Graham.

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and his spouse Coleen and boxers Tyson and Tommy Fury additionally attended the service.

They had been joined by Completely happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder and Mark “Bez” Berry, actuality TV character Calum Greatest, comic Paddy McGuinness, former cricket star Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff and actor Dean Gaffney.

Hatton’s funeral cortege was led by the well-known Reliant van from Solely Fools And Horses.

The previous boxing world champion was a giant fan of the Del Boy and Rodney sitcom and as soon as purchased one of many authentic three-wheelers for £4,000, which he used to drive spherical his house metropolis.

On the best way to the service, the cortege arrived on the Cheshire Cheese pub – Hatton’s native – on Stockport Street in Hyde and was met with applause from mourners earlier than it departed at 09:45 BST.

The procession then travelled to the Harehill Tavern earlier than doves had been launched within the boxer’s honour at The New Inn.

There was an additional pause at Hatton’s Gymnasium, the place emotional followers sang and took footage.

Throngs of wellwishers gathered across the cathedral forward of the service.

Afterwards, the procession made its manner from the cathedral to the Etihad Stadium, house of Hatton’s beloved Manchester Metropolis.

The Stockport-born boxer received world titles in each the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions.

He shortly rose by way of the beginner and home ranks to pit his wits towards the elite fighters of his era, together with Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.