remembered

Rock band Oasis, who Hatton adored and would later befriend, were building on Manchester’s reputation as a capital of the music world.

Manchester United were dominating English football.

Hatton was playing his part in the ring and also giving his Manchester City-supporting backers something to cheer while their team struggled in the Red Devils’ shadow.

In the city centre, a new venue opened and staged a Torvill and Dean performance on its opening night.

“It was fortunate that they built the Manchester Arena when they did,” said Speak of the indoor venue that welcomed its first customers in 1995.

This is where Hatton had 15 of his professional fights. “It would become his fortress,” Speak said.

By the time Hatton fought Kostya Tszyu in 2005, he was selling out the arena.

Hatton stopped the man who was regarded as the world’s best light-welterweight to win the IBF title.

Danny Jackson, a close friend to Hatton and Manchester City’s matchday announcer, delivered an emotional speech in memory of his pal at the recent City-United derby.

He gives Hatton credit for putting his beloved football club – now giants of the world game – in the spotlight.

“You look at Rick’s time as a boxer, there wasn’t a lot to like about City then,” Jackson said.

“Rick was a bit of a shining light in that period. He got City’s brand out there to millions of people.”

Retired world champion Anthony Crolla described the Tszyu fight as “one of the greatest nights Manchester has ever had in any sport”.

The next day, Hatton set up camp at the New Inn in Hyde for what had become a regular celebration – nicknamed the not-so-nice shirt nights.

“He didn’t want to swan off to celebrity hotspots; he wanted to be around his mates and having a laugh,” said Jackson.

Paul Smith, the Liverpool world title challenger who trained alongside Hatton, remembers one fancy dress party when Hatton dressed as ‘Ginger Spice’ Geri Halliwell.

Those kind of images would get out and help to keep Hatton in the hearts of those from Manchester, because they could see he was one of them.

That never changed. This summer, Hatton attended a friend’s stag do in Portugal.

They set him up by giving him dissolvable swimming shorts to wear in the pool.

“There were a group of lads there from Leeds by the pool idolising him and they were saying ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this to a superstar’,” said Jackson.

“He took the stick, he gave the stick, just a normal guy.”

THE family of a fairground worker who died after being “hit in the head by a ride” have paid tribute.

Corrie Lee Stavers, 28, tragically died in the accident at the Spanish City Summer Fair in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, on Saturday afternoon.

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The dad-of-one suffered fatal injuries after a ride hit his head while he was trying to retrieve his jacket, his family said.

Speaking to MailOnline, Corrie’s dad Lee Stavers, 50, paid tribute to his son as an “amazing father”.

He explained that Corrie’s son Lennie had been “left without a father”, saying: “He absolutely doted on that child. He was an absolutely wonderful father to him.”

Lee said he believed Corrie enjoyed his work, saying he was “happy” in pictures at fairground sites.

Describing his late son, Lee said: “He was just a very kind, loving lad. He would do anything for anybody, if anybody asked him to do anything, he would just do it regardless.

“He was always one of them lads who just wanted to please. He just wanted to be loved. He was a brilliant father.”

The 50-year-old also explained how the police had spoken to them about the “absolute tragedy”, saying they understood Corrie had been operating the ride when he was hit.

They believe he may have gone to grab his jacket or another item but had then been hit by the ride.

Lee, who does not use social media, tragically revealed that he only found out about his son’s death after a colleague told him to urgently contact his family. 

A GoFundMe page has also been setup in honour of “our beloved Corrie” by his family.

The fundraiser states: “It’s with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beloved Corrie has passed away.

“He was tragically taken from us in an accident while working on a fairground ride. None of us were prepared for this, and the pain of losing him so suddenly is impossible to put into words.

“Our lives will never be the same without him, but his memory will live on in our hearts forever.

“We love you endlessly Corrie, and we miss you more than words can ever say. Your with your mam now. Rest in peace Corrie.”

The family added that any donations would be “highly appreciated”, since the family were “not financially ready for this”.

They continued: “Any donation towards giving our beloved Corrie the send off he deserves our family will be ever so grateful.

“We know he was a much loved young lad,any donations left over after the funeral costs will be put in a trust fund for Corrie’s five-year-old son Lennie-Lee.”

Lee revealed that Corrie used to be a very keen boxer but had been forced to stop after suffering a nose injury.

Almost £3,000 of the £4,000 target has already been raised, at time of writing.

Northumbria Police is working alongside the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to investigate the tragedy.

Hulk Hogan was wrestling royalty.

Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan was a WWF superstar in the 1980s and early 1990s, then experienced a career resurgence in the late ’90s with his Hollywood Hogan persona in the WCW’s New World Order stable.

With his passing Thursday morning at 71, many of the biggest names in professional wrestling paid tribute.

“I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan!” WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. … Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!”

WWE Hall of Fame wrestler and current Chief Content Officer Triple H wrote on X that the organization “would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring … and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea.”

“Hulk Hogan, clad in red and yellow or [New World Order] black and white, was simply put, iconic,” Triple H wrote. “As a Real American or the leader of one of the industry’s biggest factions, he transcended and elevated the entire business to heights never before seen — in every country and on every continent. There was no one like The Hulkster and there very well may never be another.”

Fellow Hall of Fame wrestler Kane, also known as Knox County, Tenn., Mayor Glenn Jacobs, said in a statement: “The Hulkster was integral in making professional wrestling, and specifically WWE, what it is today. While I join fans all across the world in mourning his loss, I am also grateful for the opportunities that he created for people like me and so many others in professional wrestling and entertainment.”

Another politician who is in the WWE Hall of Fame paid his respects to Hogan on Truth Social.

“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster,’” wrote President Trump, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame’s celebrity wing in 2013. “Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week.

“He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”

Secretary of Education and former WWE President and Chief Executive Linda McMahon wrote on X: “I had the privilege of knowing and working with [Hogan] for over 40 years. Hulk was a dear friend and member of our WWE family. His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered. He was one of a kind! My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and all of his fans.”

Here’s how others from the world of professional wrestling are remembering Hogan on X:

— Jake “the Snake” Roberts: “It’s hard to put into words what Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea meant to professional wrestling and entertainment. He may be gone, but his memory and legacy will live forever.”

— Sting: “HULK HOGAN – THE GREATEST OF ALL Can’t thank you enough for all that you did for me and for wrestling fans all over the world. I loved you and I will miss you. My friend, Terry Bollea, RIP.”

— The Miz: “When I was a kid I ate my vitamins, said my prayers because Hulk Hogan told me to. He was someone I looked up to; a larger-than-life presence I copied constantly growing up. The voice, flexing, charisma, he made you want to be bold, loud, confident. RIP, Hulk Hogan.”

— Charlotte Flair: “When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother.”

— The Undertaker: “The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan.”

— Sgt. Slaughter: “Saddened To Hear About The Passing of Hulk Hogan … I Guess God Needed An Incredible Angel. R.I.P. My Friend.”

— Kurt Angle: “R.I.P Hulkster, thank you for opening up doors for so many people in the business including myself. There would not be a Kurt Angle, without the American Made, Hulk Hogan. My heart and prayers go out to his family. We lost a real icon today.”

— Bubba Ray Dudley: “As a young fan, I’ll never forget the day Bob Backlund brought you out to help him. As an old pro, I will never forget how much you meant to my career. I appreciate every thing you did for me. And was happy to call you a friend…and Brother.”