A statue commemorating boxing legend Ricky Hatton is planned for his hometown of Hyde, Greater Manchester. Tameside Council councillors have unanimously approved a motion backing the proposal, committing the council to the project.
The decision follows an online petition signed by over 9,000 people, calling for a statue in Hatton's honour after his death on 14 September 2025, at the age of 46.
Allan Hopwood, leader of the local Reform group, suggested the statue be built in either Hyde town centre or Hattersley, where Hatton spent most of his childhood. He stated that the project would be funded through donations, ensuring no cost to the town hall, and that the community would be involved in its design.
An attempt by Labour councillors to amend the motion to include another Hyde athlete, marathon runner Ron Hill, failed. Opposition councillors disagreed with the addition, with Councillor Ged Cooney calling the grouping of statues into one project "unnecessary."