Tyson Fury and Amir Khan have led tributes to Ricky Hatton after the former British two-weight world champion was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Sunday morning that a body had been found at Hatton's address and that the death was not being treated as suspicious.
A GMP spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious."
A police cordon is in place at his home on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde, as per the Manchester Evening News. The hugely popular Stockport-born fighter was 46 years old.
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Many high-profile figures in the boxing world have paid tribute to Hatton, including former two-time unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Fury shared two pictures of the pair through the years alongside a caption that read: "Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton may he RIP. There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can't believe this so young."
Amir Khan, a former unified light-welterweight world champion, was one of the first to pay tribute to Hatton, describing him as one of Britain's greatest boxers.
"Today we lost not only one of Britain's greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton," he wrote.
"As fighters, we tell ourselves we're strong - we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind.
"Mental health isn't weakness. It's part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.
"Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what's possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding."
Khan ended his tribute by saying Hatton will always "have your place in the ring of our memories".
Chris Eubank Jr also paid tribute to Hatton on social media, saying: "Rest in peace Mr Ricky Hatton. We salute you."
Hatton had been due to return to the ring in December this year, 13 years on from his last professional bout.
He was set to make a comeback to the ring in a professional bout against United Arab Emirates fighter Eisa Al Dah.
Speaking about the contest in July, Hatton said: "Just a quick statement at how excited I am about putting the gloves on again on December 2nd in Dubai."
He continued: “I always said after my exhibition a couple of years ago with Marco if another opportunity came up, I’d always look at it and weigh up the pros and cons. I have done and this is a good and sensible fight for me."
“I’m 47 years old, not unlike my opponent, I’m not 58 years old. I’m not going into world level or straight into a world title fight. I know I’m no longer at world level these days. But I have the good sense to know what fights are good for me and what fights are beyond me."
Hatton added: "No matter how old we get in life we still have goals, ambitions, targets to set yourself.”
Topics: Tyson Fury, Boxing, Amir Khan, Ricky Hatton
Jack Kenmare