Boxing legends Ricky Hatton, Michael Watson and Barry Hearn are set to receive one of the capital’s oldest civic honours, the Freedom of the City of London, at a high-profile charity boxing night this October.
The trio, recognised for their outstanding contributions to British boxing, will be honoured at a black-tie fundraiser at London’s historic Guildhall on Wednesday 8 October 2025, alongside The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Alastair King DL.
The event, titled City Fight Night, will feature six bouts of white-collar boxing between members of the London Fire Brigade, selected by renowned amateur club Fitzroy Lodge, and their counterparts from the New York City Fire Department.
Speaking ahead of the event, former world champion Hatton said: ‘I’m absolutely chuffed to bits to be given the Freedom of the City of London. It’s a real honour and something I never imagined happening to me… It’ll be a great night for a great cause, and I can’t wait to be part of it.’
Hearn, the founder and president of Matchroom, called the honour a ‘privilege’ and said the evening ‘promises to be a knockout event in every sense’.
Watson, whose courage and resilience following a life-changing injury in the ring earned him widespread respect, will also be formally recognised on the night.
Barry Hearn is one of three boxing legends set to receive one of the capital’s oldest civic honours, the Freedom of the City of London
Ricky Hatton and Michael Watson (pictured centre, right) will also receive the honour at a charity boxing event in October
Adding to the occasion, the Lord Mayor himself will step into the ring for a special exhibition bout against a mystery opponent from New York.
‘Boxing is one of my passions and I cannot wait to venture into the ring myself,’ he said. ‘In fact, this will be the first time a Lord Mayor of London has seen active combat whilst in office since the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381!’
The event, hosted by actor and presenter Terry Stone, is being held in partnership with The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and sponsored by Bloomberg.
It aims to raise funds for charities that use boxing to steer young people away from crime, and for organisations supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of UK firefighters.
All three honourees – Hatton, Watson and Hearn – will join an exclusive list of recipients of the Freedom of the City, a tradition that dates back to the 13th century.
