Meet Ricky Hatton’s Parents: Ray Hatton and Carol Hatton

Ricky Hatton, the British boxing icon known as “The Hitman,” left an indelible mark on the sport with his relentless style and larger-than-life personality.

Born on October 6, 1978, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Hatton rose from the Hattersley council estate to become a multiple world champion in the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions.

Tragically, he passed away on September 14, 2025, at age 46, prompting an outpouring of tributes that highlight not only his achievements but the family that shaped him.

Central to his story are his parents, Ray and Carol Hatton, whose support, sacrifices, and complex relationship with their son defined his journey. Here, we explore their roles in Ricky’s life and legacy.

Ray Hatton

Ray Hatton was the driving force behind Ricky’s ascent to boxing stardom, blending a sportsman’s grit with a manager’s savvy.

A former footballer who played for Manchester City and Rochdale alongside his own father, Ray, brought a competitive edge to the Hatton household.

After his playing days, he turned to entrepreneurship, owning and managing several pubs in the Tameside area, including one on the Hattersley estate next to the infamous Moors murderers’ residence.

The pub’s cellar became Ricky’s first training ground at age 12, where Ray encouraged his son’s budding talent, transforming it into a makeshift gym where locals cheered young Ricky’s punches.

As Ricky turned professional in 1997 at age 18, Ray took on the role of manager, steering both Ricky and his brother Matthew Hatton’s boxing careers.

Under his guidance, Ricky amassed a 45-3 record, with notable victories like the 2005 IBF light-welterweight title win over Kostya Tszyu. Ray’s influence extended beyond the ring; he helped set up a trust fund for Ricky’s eldest son, Campbell, ensuring financial stability.

However, their relationship faced turmoil in 2012 when disputes over Ricky’s £40 million career earnings led to a physical altercation outside Ricky’s gym. Ray, then 61, received a police caution after allegedly striking his son, sparking a decade-long estrangement.

Despite a brief reconciliation in 2019, tensions resurfaced in 2023 over allegations in the Hatton documentary, leaving their bond strained but reflective of Ray’s pivotal role in Ricky’s life.

Carol Hatton

Carol Hatton was the emotional anchor of the Hatton family; her warmth and work ethic grounded Ricky amid his rise to fame.

A fixture at Glossop Market’s carpet stall and later a clothes shop, Carol’s hustle mirrored the resilience she instilled in her children—Ricky, Matthew, and daughter Donna.

Her “majestic personality,” as described by sports writers, shone through in her refusal to abandon her market work even as Ricky’s millions rolled in. She famously quipped she’d choose the market’s bustle over a millionaire’s leisure, a testament to her down-to-earth spirit.

Carol’s presence was felt in the stands at Ricky’s fights and in the home where he lived in a boxroom until age 24, just 32 seconds’ walk from her door after moving out. The 2012 fallout with Ricky, sparked by financial disagreements, hit Carol hard.

Her pain was laid bare in a 2023 letter to the Daily Mail, where she lamented six months without contact from Ricky despite living minutes apart: “Me and Ray are on our last lap… If he can’t come see me when I’m alive, don’t come when I’m dead with your tears.”

The rift, briefly mended in 2019 over a family meal, underscored her longing for reconciliation. Carol’s love endured through Ricky’s struggles with depression and substance abuse, and her influence is evident in his devotion to his three children—Campbell Hatton, Millie Hatton, and Fearne Grace Hatton—and granddaughter Lyla Hatton.

As tributes pour in from figures like Tyson Fury, Carol remains the quiet heart of a champion’s story, her sacrifices woven into Ricky’s legacy.