Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Ricky Hatton, Boxing
Luke Davies
A former opponent and close friend of Ricky Hatton has opened up about the moment he heard the former two-weight world champion had died.
Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester by his friend and manager, Paul Speak, on September 14.
The 46-year-old had been training for a comeback bout against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in December.
Hatton’s ill-timed passing shocked all those associated with him, including his family.
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His son Campbell, 24, explained how the Hatton family had been left “heartbroken” by Ricky’s sudden death and, in an interview with ITV News, claimed: "We had so many plans coming up, so it has knocked us for six, but obviously, we are trying to be there for each other.”
Since the former two-weight world champion’s death, tributes have poured in from several members of the combat sports community, including Tyson Fury and Manny Pacquiao.
The former boxer, who was known as the ‘Hitman’, took part in several blockbuster fights against the likes of Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather and enjoyed his crowning night against Kostya Tszyu when he won the IBF and The Ring junior welterweight titles in June 2005.
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After retiring from boxing in 2012, Hatton became an advocate for mental health and was open about his own struggles with depression.
A number of people have shared touching stories about moments they spent with Hatton, with former opponent turned friend Jamie Moore opening up during an interview with Boxing Scene.
Moore, who is also from the Manchester area and won the European title as a professional at junior middleweight, fought Hatton in the amateurs when the pair were just 15 before later becoming close friends with the ‘Hitman’.
The 46-year-old boxer-turned-coach had been in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the night before Hatton’s death and watched prospect Pat Brown win by TKO against Austin Nnamdi.
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He had just landed back in Manchester, England, when he described feeling his phone going off in his pocket, but did not answer it initially as he was carrying luggage.
A short while later, he learned of the news and told the rest of the team, including Hatton’s long-time nutritionist Kerry Kayes.
“We were just sobbing in Manchester airport in the car park. It was just awful,” Moore said.
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“I still can’t believe it. I get upset thinking about him because he’s such a f*****g beautiful man. Listen, he had his flaws like everyone. We’ve all got our flaws, but he was such a genuinely down-to-earth, funny bloke.”
Moore then described how he saw Hatton while on holiday in Tenerife, Spain, just last month.
“He came and sat with us, and we were together for about five hours, and we had such a good night, and I’ll be forever grateful that I had that night with him. I’m just glad I got to spend that time with him. I really am.”
Hatton’s funeral is being held at Manchester Cathedral on Friday with several high-profile figures - including Wayne Rooney and Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff - in attendance.