From Idol to Mentor: Navan Fighter Mourns Ricky Hatton

Navan boxer Christopher Blaney has paid an emotional tribute to Ricky Hatton, the man who turned his dream into reality.

Former pro fighter Christopher Blaney, once the pride of Wolfe Tones GAA and later a Celtic middleweight boxing champ, has told how Hatton was “so much more than a coach” describing the Manchester man as a hero, a mentor and family.

In a tearful social media tribute, Blaney wrote:

“Ricky was more than just my coach. He was so much more. He was a big family man and that always came first then he was the superstar that he was.

"He done so much for me in and outside the ring that no one will ever know.

"Rick, thank you so much for being you. I hope you’re at peace now. Everybody loved you. You are a world legend.”

For Blaney, Hatton wasn’t just a trainer, he was a dream come true. Growing up idolising “The Hitman,” he could never have imagined one day being trained and promoted by him.

Blaney’s own career saw 12 victories in 16 bouts, including lifting the BUI Celtic middleweight belt in 2017. He fought his last contest in Bolton in 2019 before calling time on his career during the pandemic.

But he always credited Hatton with shaping his journey.

Training out of the Manchester gym, Blaney recalled surreal mornings bumping into Tyson Fury while sharpening his craft under his idol’s watchful eye. “I was just a kid from Wilkinstown,” he said once. “And there I was, learning from the man who made me want to box in the first place.”

The Navan fighter’s decision to retire came early, but he has stayed close to the sport coaching with his father at Navan Boxing Club and mentoring the next wave of hopefuls.

Now, though, his focus is on remembering the man who gave him his shot at glory.

“He was a world legend but to me he was family.”

As tributes flood in for one of Britain’s most adored fighters, Blaney’s words capture the grief of a fighter who lost not just his hero, but his friend.