Battle for the English cruiserweight title
John Hedges pays emotional tribute to Ricky Hatton
London, 17 December 2025 – Tonight sees one of the most significant fights of the year in British boxing: John Hedges (11-0, 3 KOs) defends his cruiserweight title against Ellis Zorro at the legendary Indigo at The O2 in London. But this fight is much more than just a sporting event – it is a moving tribute to one of the greatest heroes in British boxing: Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.
The 23-year-old Hedges, equipped by the traditional German supplier Paffen Sport, will wear an extraordinary special edition of Paffen Sport Pro Classic boxing gloves today. The gloves are in the colours of Manchester City's ‘Skyblues’ and bear the inscription:
‘There is only one Ricky Hatton’.
‘There is only one Ricky Hatton’ – the origin of a cult slogan
The lettering on Hedges' gloves is more than just a slogan: it comes from the fantastic chants of British boxing fans who accompanied Ricky Hatton during his biggest fights in the 2000s, chanting ‘There's only one Ricky Hatton’ – a tribute to his uniqueness in the ring and his role as a folk hero of British boxing.
Hatton, born in Stockport in 1978, became one of Britain's most popular boxers. His aggressive style, fighting spirit and down-to-earth character made him an icon: with a professional record of 45 wins and only 3 defeats, he won world titles in the lightweight and welterweight divisions. His victory over Kostya Tszyu in 2005 is particularly legendary – a milestone in British boxing.
But Ricky Hatton's life was not all triumph: after retiring from public life, he struggled with personal challenges and was found dead in September 2025 at the age of 46 – a loss that shook the British boxing world.
A personal connection: Hedges & Hatton
In recent months, John Hedges has spoken publicly on several occasions about how much Hatton's style, philosophy and life have influenced him. In interviews and podcasts, Hedges has talked about how much Ricky Hatton has helped him as a trainer, mentor and inspiration.
With the tribute lettering and sky blue gloves – a direct reference to Hatton's love of Manchester City – Hedges expresses his admiration for his mentor and sends a strong message: for him, there is ‘only one’ Ricky Hatton.
Today's fight – chances and expectations
From a sporting perspective, Hedges is the clear favourite going into the fight. The southpaw from Essex has won all 11 of his professional fights to date and confidently secured the English cruiserweight title against Nathan Quarless in May 2025.
His style combines technical finesse with intelligent ring strategy – something he has continued to develop during his time under Hatton's guidance. Despite his youth, Hedges has already gained impressive experience and is considered one of the greatest British cruiserweight talents of the coming years.
Today's fight against Zorro will therefore not only be a title duel, but also an emotional stage: a young champion representing the next generation while paying homage to one of the greatest British boxers of all time.
