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Ricky Hatton funeral: Boxing greats remember ‘people’s champion’

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On Friday, former world boxing champions paid tribute to “people’s champion” Ricky Hatton at his funeral in Manchester.

Sports stars mingled with celebrities at the service to honor the memory of a down-to-earth local hero who never changed despite fighting for fame and fortune.

Former two-division world champion Amir Khan said: “He was a fantastic fighter, one of the best in the world. Of course, he inspired many fighters like us.

“He will certainly be remembered as one of the greatest players to come out of Britain. [He was] very cheerful, very entertaining, very respectable person and very nice. He was always the people’s champion.

“It’s great to be here and see so many members of the boxing community coming together to show our respect. With hundreds of people on the streets, it shows he was a popular man.”

Former heavyweight world champions Tyson Fury and Frank Bruno and former featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan were also among those who paid their respects.

McGuigan said Hatton always led by example as he rose from a hugely promising amateur to a world champion who led thousands of fans to Las Vegas for epic battles with the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Jose Luis Castillo.

Referring to the enormous turnout of fans, many of whom were dressed in the delicate blue of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City, McGuigan said: “It’s amazing, but it’s not surprising to me because he was such a star and such a great man.

“I’m here with my two boys because he demands the respect that a hero demands in boxing. He’s an amazing guy and he was a phenomenal fighter, just amazing. He brought people together.”

Former world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew revealed how Hatton inspired him to climb the rankings and ultimately achieve his lifelong dream.

“For someone to rise to the level of Ricky Hatton and remain one of the normal people, it’s unbelievable,” he said.

“The best memory I have is going to the gym and watching him train for the first time. I was an amateur boxer at the time, I had just won the ABA title. I watched him train.

“Over the years I have watched thousands of players train, hundreds of thousands, but after watching him I came to the conclusion that he was the only player I thought of, I was in awe of them and I thought: ‘This is standard.’

“Amazing person, incredible father and person, always laughing. He was usually the worst dressed, but he still found a way to rip your back out.”

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Tim Bradley explains why Lamont Roach can beat William Zepeda

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Image: Tim Bradley Explains Why Lamont Roach Can Beat William Zepeda

Bradley says Roach’s experience against pressure players and southpaws will give him an advantage on August 1

Tim Bradley thinks Lamont Roach Jr. he is the player best placed to make William Zepeda lose. In a speech on his YouTube channel, Bradley selected Roach as the winner of the vacant WBC lightweight title on August 1 and cited the fight’s stylistic advantages as a key factor.


“I’m picking Roach to win this fight,” Bradley said on his channel. “I think it’s a perfect match in style. I think Roach fights southpaws better than orthodox fighters.”

Roach comes into the fight coming off a draw with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and a contentious draw with Gervonta Davis, as well as two physically demanding fights against high-pressure fighters that Bradley says has prepared him for Zepeda’s relentless approach.

“I think he fought one of the best southpaws in the world in Tank Davis. And he did damn well against him,” Bradley said. “He wasn’t scared by the force of the impact.”

Bradley believes Roach has the tools needed to neutralize Zepeda’s pressure.

“When guys who like to get forward and be aggressive, nine times out of 10 they don’t like being tackled,” Bradley said. “Roach has the ability to do it. He has the knowledge and the IQ to be able to do it. And if he does it, he will win this fight.”

Bradley also cautioned that Roach cannot afford to leave matters in the judges’ hands, arguing that he needs to create more separation than in recent draws with Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis.

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Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’

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Roy Jones Jr says he’ll return to fight one man if he gets paid eight figures: “It would make me prepare”

Roy Jones Jr has announced his price and is demanding an eight-figure purse if he is to make it through the ropes.

At his peak, the American became one of the best players to ever grace the sport, and his breathtaking speed and overall physical prowess made him seem almost unbeatable.

After winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and airy heavyweight, Jones even moved up to heavyweight and dethroned John Ruiz to win the WBA belt in 2003.

The pound-for-pound legend retired in 2018, when many thought his best days were behind him, only to take it to the next level exhibition match with Mike Tyson in 2020

Although it was a non-contest, many believed that Tyson outplayed Jones, who then returned professionally against Anthony Pettis and lost an eight-round decision to the former UFC champion in 2023.

Since then, the 57-year-old has remained on the safer side of the competition, but is now eyeing another comeback, this time against Misfits boxer Tommy Fury.

Having delved into the power side of the sport following previous professional victories over Jake Paul and KSI, Fury is now preparing to face former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.

I’m talking to Betting showroomJones said he would only be willing to challenge the 27-year-old if he was handsomely rewarded for his troubles.

“Is me vs. Tommy Fury dead? Nothing is dead forever. Roy Jones is still alive. Tommy Fury is still alive. Who knows? For the right money, it would make me go to the gym to get ready.”

“If they give me $10 million of course. Ten and more, yes. If they don’t give me $10 million and more, then no, I’m not wasting my time.”

Fury’s six-round exhibition match with Hall will take place later today at the Manchester Arena, although the result will not affect his professional record of 11-0 (4 KO).

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Hamzah Sheeraz should fight Osleys Iglesias first

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Image: A High Cost: The Humiliation That Will Define Canelo's Next Two Fights

“There are a confined number of fights and he can’t fight every fighter. So why don’t you consider that [Iglesias and Sheeraz] think about who wants to be at the front of the line,” Kellerman said on InsideRingShow.

Kellerman rejected the idea that Canelo was firing any of the fighters.

“He’s not saying he’s ignoring Sheeraz and Iglesias. In fact, he just gave them a path. He said, ‘I’m fighting Mbilli.’ You are fighting each other. This is not a duck. This is about business,” Kellerman said.

Sheeraz has already made it clear that he has no interest in following the route proposed by Canelo. Responding to a suggestion from an earlier interview, the British fighter said he respected Alvarez but would not allow another boxer to dictate his career decisions.

A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could answer many of the remaining questions about both men.

Canelo is preparing to fight Mbilli, a fighter widely viewed as one of the most threatening fighters in the division due to his constant pressure and furious attacks. Meanwhile, Sheeraz has had two fights since moving up to 168 pounds, a fight against Edgar Berlanga, who he stopped in July 2025 after Canelo had already beaten him a year earlier, and 39-year-old Al Begic for the vacant WBO title.

A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could eliminate many of the questions that still haunt both men. Sheeraz would have the opportunity to silence critics who believe his super middleweight resume is slim, while Iglesias could reaffirm a growing reputation that has led some fans to consider him the division’s boogeyman.

The winner would pose a bigger and more marketable challenge. Instead of facing Sheeraz immediately after his victory over Begic, Alvarez could face an opponent who had a decisive victory over another world champion, adding more significance to what could be one of the final marquee fights of his career.

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