Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton: Telling the Story of the People’s Champion
Some sporting figures achieve greatness through trophies and titles. Others achieve something far rarer — a genuine, lifelong connection with the people who follow them. Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton belongs firmly in the latter category.
In his latest documentary, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton: The People’s Champion, presenter and filmmaker Matthew Walker explores why Hatton’s story still resonates so powerfully years after his final fight. It’s not simply a film about boxing. It’s a reflection on identity, community, resilience, and what it means to remain grounded when the world places you on a pedestal.
From Manchester to the World Stage
Born in Stockport and raised on the Hattersley estate, Ricky Hatton’s journey into boxing began long before sold-out arenas and Las Vegas fight nights. From the age of ten, Hatton showed an intensity that set him apart — a relentless work ethic forged in small gyms, leisure centres and working men’s clubs across Greater Manchester.
Those early environments shaped more than his fighting style. They shaped his character. Even as Hatton rose to global prominence — winning 45 of his 48 professional bouts and becoming IBF, WBA and The Ring Light-Welterweight Champion, as well as WBA Welterweight Champion — he never distanced himself from where he came from.
That connection to home is central to this documentary. Viewers are reminded that Hatton wasn’t a fighter manufactured by hype or image. He was, and remained, a lad from Manchester who happened to be extraordinarily good at boxing.
The Nights That Defined a Career
No account of Ricky Hatton’s life would be complete without revisiting the nights that made him a household name. The documentary revisits his iconic victory over Kostya Tszyu in 2005, a fight widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in British boxing history. Hatton’s relentless pressure forced one of the sport’s most feared champions to quit on his stool — a symbolic passing of the torch that announced Hatton’s arrival on the world stage.
Other defining moments follow. The thunderous body shot that stopped José Luis Castillo. The decision to step up in weight and test himself against elite opposition. The unforgettable scenes in Las Vegas, where tens of thousands of travelling fans turned fight weeks into football-style celebrations, transforming the city into what many called “Manchester-on-tour.”
Yet the film does not shy away from the hardest nights either. The defeats to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are explored with honesty and balance — not as failures, but as moments that revealed the immense emotional cost of competing at the very top of the sport.
More Than a Fighter
One of the defining strengths of The People’s Champion is its refusal to frame Hatton solely as an athlete. The documentary spends equal time exploring the man behind the gloves — his humour, self-awareness and willingness to laugh at himself.
From driving around Hyde in an Only Fools and Horses three-wheeler to embracing criticism by walking to the ring in a giant “Fatman” suit, Hatton consistently disarmed both fans and critics by being unapologetically himself. These moments of levity weren’t distractions; they were part of the reason fans connected with him so deeply.
The Toughest Battle
Perhaps the most important chapter of Hatton’s story comes after the final bell. Following his defeats and retirement, Hatton faced depression — a battle far more complex than anything he encountered in the ring. By choosing to speak openly about his mental health struggles, he changed the conversation around wellbeing in professional sport.
The documentary approaches this period with sensitivity and restraint, allowing Hatton’s openness to speak for itself. It’s a reminder that strength is not defined solely by physical toughness, and that vulnerability can be one of the most powerful forms of courage.
Legacy and Belonging
Hatton’s legacy is not measured purely in belts or records. It lives in the bond he maintains with his community, particularly in Hyde, where he chose to build Hatton Health & Fitness — a gym designed to serve the very people who supported him from the beginning.
In 2024, his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame formally recognised what fans had known for decades: that Ricky Hatton’s impact on boxing, and British sport more broadly, is permanent.
Storytelling Through Documentary
For Matthew Walker, this film represents another step in a growing body of documentary work focused on people, places and moments that hold cultural significance. Known for his work as a TV presenter, live event host and documentary filmmaker, Matthew has built a reputation for combining factual storytelling with emotional clarity.
The People’s Champion sits alongside his previous films, including The Story of Goodison Park: The Grand Old Lady, Murray Walker: The Voice of Formula 1, and Triumph Spitfire: The Car Designed In Secret. Each project reflects the same core approach — respectful storytelling, careful research, and a focus on human connection.
Watch the Film
Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton: The People’s Champion is available to watch now, with a direct link from this page. Viewers are also encouraged to explore Matthew Walker’s other documentaries via his website and YouTube channel.
Beyond the Film
Alongside his documentary work, Matthew Walker continues to work as a television presenter, live event host, conference moderator and awards ceremony presenter, bringing the same clarity and professionalism to live audiences as he does to the screen.
For bookings, collaborations or further information, Matthew can be contacted via 📧 matthew@thestandoutcompany.com or on ☎️ +44 (0)207 088 8085.