Zak Sylvester shares the personal story that inspired Conversations That Matter, a new Beyond the Cage webinar series honouring Ricky Hatton’s legacy through real stories and honest reflection.

by Zak Sylvester

Last week, Campbell Hatton announced the launch of “The Ricky Hatton Foundation” which will aim to carry on the spirit and legacy of his late father, Ricky, and help as many people as possible in their fight against mental illness. The thousands that lined the streets of Manchester last Friday, ahead of Ricky’s funeral service, was testament to how much of a positive impact he had in the lives of so many.

Earlier this year, I had the immense privilege of being able to meet and be taught by Ricky in at a seminar in Thailand.

He’d come out to Bangtao to run a boxing seminar. I remember walking into the gym and seeing him there — this larger-than-life figure, the People’s Champion, surrounded by fighters who couldn’t believe they were sharing the same space as him. But what struck me most wasn’t his status — it was how present and down-to-earth he was.

He didn’t walk in like a celebrity. He was humble, funny, self-deprecating, and warm — talking to everyone as though he’d known them for years. Later that evening, we all sat down after training, and that’s when I truly got to see what kind of man he was. He spoke openly about his highs and lows, the toll of fame, and the importance of staying true to yourself.

At one point, he said something that I’ll never forget:

“If something sits on your heart — if you’re passionate about it — just make it happen.”

That moment stayed with me. It wasn’t a motivational quote — it was lived experience. Here was a man who had seen it all: the lights, the noise, the pressure — and who still understood that what really matters is doing what you love, with heart, for the right reasons.

When Ricky passed away, I found myself reflecting on that conversation. I realised that what made him special wasn’t just what he achieved, but how he connected with people — through honesty, humour, and humanity. That’s something we desperately need more of today.

That’s why I created Conversations That Matter.

I have been fortunate to grow up around many positive male role models. These are men that have had very different careers, from being under the spotlight on the world stage, to being a vital support structure to those competing. But despite their different lived experiences, they share one thing in common: they deeply care about people.

Not just about performance or results, but about truly helping others find meaning and purpose in what they do.

And yet, even surrounded by that such inspiration, I’ve seen how easily we can lose connection, how life gets louder, how pressure builds and how men, in particular, can drift away from one another and from community and connection in general.

Conversations That Matter was born from a desire to change that.

I have attempted to put similar ideas out there in the past, but I always ended up taking down the content for various reasons. However, what Ricky said to me has changed everything. The tragedy of his passing has inspired me to consider how life truly is short and how important it is to act on ideas that we have.

Conversations That Matter is a webinar series that will provide an opportunity to slow down and have real, honest dialogue about themes of purpose, identity and growth. As Ricky often said, the impact that a single, honest conversation can have in someone’s life could make all the difference and that is the principle that we will carry with us through the series.

We begin this month, starting with one of our ambassadors and Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester, who will be exploring the identity crisis athletes face after sport and how to rebuild purpose, belonging and meaning. Across Steven’s career he has helped athletes address this difficult topic and in today’s climate, many of us can benefit from the insight into dealing with change and uncertainty.

Following this webinar, we have more events soon to be announced. You can register to be notified about them on the events page of our website. Each guest speaker will bring their own story, but the goal is the same: to share an open conversation. It really is a simple idea, but one that carries forward Ricky’s message in the best possible way.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Further information about the Ricky Hatton Foundation can be found on the website address below. Please feel free to make contact with any thoughts or questions you have.

Zak