{"id":848,"date":"2025-07-23T15:59:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T15:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/?p=848"},"modified":"2025-07-24T12:27:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T12:27:23","slug":"boxing-legend-ricky-hatton-to-be-honoured-with-the-freedom-of-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.airnetaccess.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/23\/boxing-legend-ricky-hatton-to-be-honoured-with-the-freedom-of-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Boxing legend Ricky Hatton to be honoured with the freedom of London"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ricky Hatton has been handed a major honour (Picture: James Fearn\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Boxing legend Ricky Hatton<\/a> has been awarded the freedom of London<\/a> – and the occasion will be marked with a special boxing match.<\/p>\n

It’s not long since the boxer announced his surprise comeback<\/a> 13 years since his last professional bout, as he returns to the ring to face Eisa Aldah in Dubai<\/a> on December 2.<\/p>\n

But before he returns to the ring, Ricky will be given a major boost as he is granted the freedom of the city of London – despite being from Manchester<\/a> and spending most of his career in the north west.<\/p>\n

The event, on October 8, will be marked by the Lord Mayor\u2019s Charity Boxing Match, where firefighters from both the London and New York fire brigades will duke it out at the Guildhall.<\/p>\n

Ricky isn’t the only boxer being honoured: former British and Commonwealth champion Michael Watson, and boxing promoter Barry Hearn, are also being awarded the freedom of the city.<\/p>\n

And they’ll even see The Lord Mayor, Alderman Alastair King step into the ring for a special bout against a surprise opponent from New York.<\/p>\n

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He’ll step into the ring in December for the first time in 13 years (Picture: Ian Hodgson\/PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ricky said: \u2018I\u2019m absolutely chuffed to bits to be given the Freedom of the City of London – it\u2019s a real honour and something I never imagined happening to me. <\/p>\n

‘London\u2019s always held a special place in my heart and been the location for many of my fights, most memorably when I won the WBU light welterweight world title at Wembley conference centre against Tony Pep, so to be recognised like this means a lot. <\/p>\n

‘I\u2019m really looking forward to the Lord Mayor\u2019s boxing night at the Guildhall – it\u2019ll be a great night for a great cause, and I can\u2019t wait to be part of it.\u2019<\/p>\n

The black-tie charity event will raise money to support firefighters and members of the UK fire services.<\/p>\n

Ricky Hatton has an enviable record, having won 45 of his 48 professional matches during his 15-year career.<\/p>\n

He won world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight, with two of his three losses coming against fellow greats Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.<\/p>\n

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