The ‘Evening4Ricky’ event will take place at the AO Arena on June 7

19:57, 19 May 2026Updated 11:28, 20 May 2026

‘The Hitman’ Ricky Hatton passed away last year(Image: PA)

The headline artist for Ricky Hatton’s tribute show next month has been revealed as Manchester legend Bugzy Malone. The event will take place at Manchester Arena on June 7.

Rapper Bugzy Malone announced that he will be coming to the UK specially to take the stage at the arena where he last played his Homecoming gig in 2021 on his Resurrection Tour.

It comes after the boxing legend died in September last year at the age of 46. At the time, the Hyde champion had been planning a return to the ring after a 13-year hiatus with a fight scheduled for December.

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The Hitman, who was best known for his clashes with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, was described by his son Campbell as ‘fearless’ at an inquest into his death, adding that he ‘lived his life in and out of the ring at a hundred per cent and he always said he never regretted it’.

It has now been announced that a star-studded ‘Las Vegas-style’ celebration will take place at the AO Arena on June 7. Organisers have said that the Evening4Ricky show will feature a reimagined boxing stage as a line-up of artists and performers take part in a series of entertainment ‘rounds’.

Bugzy Malone has previously cited Ricky as a personal inspiration (Image: PA)

Announcing his involvement in the tribute show, the ‘King of the North’ Bugzy Malone said: “I know I said no more tours; this is not a tour – this a tribute and this is special and it’s for one of Manchester’s finest. Ricky sadly died last year, a proper Manchester Legend.

“They said they want me to come and do the arena in Manchester. You are damn right I will come do the arena in Manchester – I will be there and I will take the roof off. Lets send it off. I want all my people there – You know I don’t play!”

Born in the Manchester suburb of Crumpsall and raised on the same working-class streets as Ricky – Bugzy committed himself to music and boxing to stay out of trouble often citing Ricky as an inspiration.

Bugzy also has a rigorous boxing training regime and a discipline that he attributes to his success. He has been seen at some of the biggest fights in boxing and is friends with many of the worlds boxing superstars.

Campbell Hatton, Ricky’s son and co-founder of the Ricky Hatton Foundation said: “We’re absolutely buzzing to have Bugzy involved.

“Dad had a huge love for music and was close with so many people across different worlds, so to see names like Bugzy stepping up to be part of the night means a lot to us as a family. It’s going to be an incredible party atmosphere and something really special for Manchester.”

Other artists already announced to be performing at the show include Tinie Tempah, John Newman, Paddy McGuiness, The Ks, Prince Naz, Jason Manford, DJ Spoony and Steph Houghton.

In total, 100 guests will be performing, presenting, featuring or present as guests in the round. Manchester poet Tony Walsh will also be performing a new poem called 4Ricky. Further artist announcements and special guests will be revealed in the lead up to the night.

Alfie Holcombe, Legends Soccer Group who are organising the event, said: “We are excited that Bugzy is coming back to Manchester as the headline act in tribute to Ricky. Both born and bred in Manchester and who rose from the streets to global success – the evening has a wide variety of artists, performers and entertainers who all in their own way are coming to celebrate Ricky.”

Proceeds from the event will support The Ricky Hatton Foundation and its partner charities including Manchester City in the Community and MIND amongst others, helping to drive awareness and provide crucial support for mental health initiatives across Manchester and the UK.