Ricky Hatton death: Family release statement after legendary British boxer found dead aged 46

Nobody could quite do a press conference like him. The one, the only, Ricky Hatton.

Liam Gallagher has paid tribute to fellow Mancunian icon Ricky Hatton following his tragic passing.

“Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Ricky Hatton,” he wrote on X. “Absolute honour to know him and carry his belts.

“RIP CHAMP LIVE FOREVER.”

Manchester will work to honour Ricky Hatton properly, its mayor Andy Burnham has said.

Burnham wrote on X that it was “hard to take in” Hatton’s death, and added: “Ricky was much loved by so many in Greater Manchester. He was the kind of person who would always turn up for people, supporting so many causes.

“He made us smile and made us proud. We will find a way of honouring him properly. Rest in peace, Champ.”

Hatton enjoyed arguably the greatest moment of his career in his home city, when he beat Kostya Tszyu for the IBF welterweight title at the Manchester Arena in 2005.

They filled the arenas and pubs and streets every time Ricky Hatton fought, and they sang “there is only one Ricky Hatton” until dawn.

Ricky Hatton was the council estate boy, who grew up in a pub and took about 60,000 fans to Las Vegas when he was one of boxing’s top attractions. He was British boxing’s most popular boxer and that title feels like it will be his crown for a long, long time.

He won world title fights at 3am against the odds in his beloved Manchester, and he went down in glory in massive fights on other unforgettable nights in Las Vegas; each time the fans sang their endless chorus of devotion. And it was true; there was only one Ricky Hatton.

Ricky Hatton produced one of the most storied and impressive career’s in British boxing history, winning 45 of his 48 professional bouts across 15 years.

Memorable moments for “The Hitman” included title wins against Kostya Tszyu (in 2005 for the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles) and Jose Luis Castillo (in 2007 for the vacant WBC International light-welterweight title), while he also beat Juan Urango for the IBF and vacant IBO light-welterweight titles.

Of his three losses, two came to a pair of the greatest boxers of all time in Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Micah Richards paid his own tribute to Hatton yesterday calling the news “devastating”.

“He’s such a British icon… a true Man City fan, but most importantly he was a man of the people,” Richards said.

“He was the nicest guy ever – I remember going down to one of his gyms and I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know about boxing and he said ‘just do this’ and he took his time.

“For him to take the time and effort, I’ve been multiple times for beers with him just talking about football and life.

“To get this news now is just surreal.”

Some of England’s biggest football stars have posted comments in light of Hatton’s death.

“Ricky was one of a kind,” wrote former Manchester United and England midfielder David Beckham on Instagram. “Just heartbreaking.”

Meanwhile, on X, another ex-England and Man United star Wayne Rooney – who carried Hatton’s belts into the ring before a fight with Jose Luis Castillo in 2007 -said he was “devastated” and Hatton was a “a legend, a warrior and a great person”.

Ricky Hatton was a huge Manchester City fan. Micah Richards and Roy Keane paid tribute to the boxer before yesterday’s Manchester derby.

Richards says Hatton was “a man of the people”.

Phil Foden says that news of Ricky Hatton’s death on Sunday morning gave him added motivation to perform during the Manchester derby.

When asked if the win was for Hatton, Foden replied: “100%. I had extra motivation going into the game.

“It was for him and his family and for the people suffering right now.

“The lads gave everything. It wasn’t a pretty match but it was all for him.”

News of the death of former world champion Hatton, who was synonymous with his beloved City, at the age of 46 emerged just a few hours before kick-off.

City said they were “devastated” and a minute’s applause was held before the match.