The sporting world said goodbye to Ricky Hatton on Friday morning as Manchester's streets were lined for Hatton's 12-mile long outpouring of grief View 5 Images Jerry Lawton lays a Daily Star wreath at Ricky Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral

The title of ‘People’s Champion’ has always struck me as slightly curious. ‌

Often bestowed with affection for a sports star with a huge fanbase it could be viewed as a reward for glorious failure - a consolation prize for not quite winning the big one. ‌

But having attended boxer Ricky Hatton’s extraordinary funeral - along with what seemed like most of Manchester - I honestly don’t think he would see it that way. ‌

I’ve never experienced anything quite like the 12-mile long outpouring of grief that stretched from his loc

See Full Page