The Hitman from Hyde said he was `disgusted' and `embarrassed' by the trade.
His comments follow a BBC investigation into the sale of fake sporting memorabilia. Reporters bought three signed photographs of Ricky from an internet auction site - but none proved to be genuine.
Ricky said he would be `heartbroken' if any of his personal collection of signed memorabilia - including a signed photograph of Mohammed Ali - were discovered to be fake.
He also urged collectors to use reputable dealers.
Ricky told the BBC's Inside Out show: "Whatever sport or profession you are in, if it wasn't for the fans coming paying their own hard-earned money to support you, there'd be no sport stars - so the fans mean everything. And for them to be treated in this way, just for a few people to make a few little quid ... it disgusts me."
Genuine items of signed sports memorabilia can fetch thousands of pounds.
But experts fear a growth in internet sales is making it increasingly difficult for people to tell genuine articles from fakes.
Ricky said he was `embarrassed' that fraudsters were making money out of him.
Many genuinely-signed items up for sale now include a photograph of the actual moment of signing.
Ricky added: "You should have a picture of where it was actually signed and then you know for certain you can see the glove being signed or the picture being signed."
His comments were echoes by dealers.
Lancashire-based sports memorabilia dealer Bob McCluskey said: "Most of the genuine dealers will always go out with a camera.
"They'll take photos of the players signing the actual items we're selling.
"We can send details of the dates and times of the signings which, in most cases, they can check."
Inside Out NW is on BBC1 tonight at 7.30pm.
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I could say that it disgusts me Ricky how much boxers make,how much are tickets for your fight at COMs?
The prices charged for such items are to say the least very stupid and expensive however i do not agree nor condone fraudsters making money by ripping people off
David,North M/C
I know that ricky has kept the price of his tickets for his big fight at the city of manchester stadium low so that families and his fans can afford them. I dont remember many fighters doing that for his fans.
I'm the dealer mentioned above who worked with the BBC on this programme. whilst my company deals only in Liverpool FC memorabilia (obtained from our own privately arranged signings with the players concerned), we are appalled at the amount of fake Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and, of course, Liverpool autographs that are flooding the market, mainly via a large internet auction site.
Whilst we can't comment on what other dealers charge, we would strongly urge anyone thinking of buying any kind of autographed item to thoroughly research the history of both the item and the seller concerned before parting with their money. If buying off auction sites DO NOT think that just because someone has a very high feedback rating they must be selling genuine items. Some of the highest feedbacks are generated by people who are churning out fakes by the thousand which are in turn bought at ridiculously low prices by people who have no idea about these things. Similarly, don't be fooled into thinking a COA (certificate of authenticity) means that an item is definitely authentic. Sellers issue their own COA's, and there is no regulatory body to verify them - most of the time they are simply a tool that is used to trick buyers.
If buying off the internet be aware that very very few dealers offer squad signed items as theya re practically impossible to collect. If a seller is listing squad signed items from the big 4 on a daily or weekly basis then it is probable that they are fakes. Ask for the sellers details, contacts, photos of the ACTUAL items being signed, dates, times etc. Don't bother reading a blag about how "we have contacts and only use genuine suppliers and dealers or sources at the club" - demand proof that you are getting the real thing or save your money and shop around until you find a dealer who will spend all day on the phone with you if necessary, talking about his stock and answering any queries about authenticity you have.
More than anything though - if he is selling squad signed shirts and photos, stay clear. Anyone who has tried to collect a squad signed shirt at Carrington, Melwood or even the stadiums will tell you it is impossible to churn these out on a regular basis.