Ricky Hatton funeral latest: Boxing fans line Manchester streets to pay tribute to legend after tragic death aged 46

One of the best about, no doubt.

He was always known as the 'People's Champion', as I have already called him in this blog, but that's not all he was. Yes, he was a loveable character that wasn't just adored by the people of Manchester, but by the rest of the country too. However, he was also a winner.

45 wins from 48 fights. World champions in two weight classes. The man who beat the odds.

Hatton was one of the greatest fighters this country will ever produce, and he showed that more than ever 20 years ago when beating Kostya Tszyu in his favourite city.

No one gave him a sniff of winning that fight. But guess what? Hatton beat the man who hadn't lost in eight years and held all the light-welterweight division belts.

It was a night that will go down in boxing folklore forever.

He faced the likes of Floyd Mayweather, who many regard as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter to ever live, and also the legendary Manny Pacquiao. Both handed him two of his three defeats, but they grew his legacy in the sport.

We won't see many better than 'The Hitman'.

Mourners are starting to line the streets.

A crowd is growing outside of the Cheshire Cheese Pub, where the cortege begins in less than 15 minutes.

People seemed to be either dressed in black or in the light blue of Manchester City.

The crowds will only grow over the next few hours as they celebrate the people's champion.

The memorial route will begin at Ricky Hatton's local, the Cheshire Cheese Pub, in Gee Hyde, and will end at the Manchester Cathedral, where the funeral will start.

Thousands are expected to line the streets as the procession stops at Hatton's Gym before moving past the place where he trained for his biggest fights, Betta Bodies Gym.

It will later move on past Hatton's fortress, the AO Arena (formerly known as the M.E.N Arena). A stadium where Hatton made so many memories, including the night when he beat Jostya Tszyu for the world title.

After the service at the cathedral, Hatton will be taken to his favourite place, the Etihad Stadium, where his beloved Manchester City play.

It's going to be a poignant day.

The tributes are already flooding outside Hatton's Gym in Hyde, as they have been for a month since his death.

Hatton was a Manchester City fan through and through, but as you can see, it's not just the blue side of teh city who are paying their respects. There is an old Manchester United scarf hanging outside the gym.

The city has come together to mourn the legendary boxer.

Today, thousands will line the streets of Manchester to celebrate the life of the late great Ricky Hatton.

The boxing icon unexpectedly passed away aged 46 on September 14, in what the Police believe are not suspicious circumstances.

The funeral procession will start at 9.45am, before the 18-mile memorial route ends at Manchester Cathedral, where the funeral starts at 12pm.

He was a hero in this city, and family and friends will pay their respects to a much-loved man.

'There's only one Ricky Hatton'