Ricky Hatton Gave Message About How He Wanted To Be Remembered Days Before Death

Ricky Hatton spoke about how he wanted to be remembered just seven days before his sudden death.

British boxing legend Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday.

He was discovered by his long-term manager and friend, Paul Speak, who let himself into the boxer's house after he didn't show up to an event.

'The Hitman' was just 46 when he passed away, but he will live long in the memory given his stellar professional career and characteristics outside of the ring.

He won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, challenging the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton will go down as one of the greatest boxers to come out of these shores.

And speaking just seven days before his death was announced, Hatton reflected on his decorated career and touched on how he wanted to be remembered.

Ricky Hatton died at the age of 46. Image: Getty

"I didn't want to be the best that we've ever had," he told First Round TV. "But I think I always dreamed of hopefully being up there, mentioned in the same bracket.

"I didn't want to be No. 1. As long as they can turn around and say, as they do today... Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton, Carl Froch, Frank Bruno. And when they mention Ricky Hatton in amongst my heroes, I'll never ever wake up from that."

Ricky Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu in one of his crowning nights of his professional boxing career. Image: Getty

Hatton added: "And I think the way I'd like to be remembered is... I guess I was one of the best we had. I do a lot of sportsman's dinners with Frank [Bruno], and I feel very proud that they always say, 'Our Frank and our Ricky'. It's like we, not to say we were the best, but we were probably the two most loved.

"I was man of the people, wasn't I? I was a Jack the Lad, the kid next door, y'know? I couldn't give two sh*ts, say it the way it is. And I think the best thing that come out of retirement with me was the love that I had from the fans.

"And the love that I have from the fans still. I think people remember me as one hell of a fighter, but yeah, one of the boys."

Hatton beat the likes of Kostya Tszyu, Luis Collazo and Paulie Malignaggi during his iconic career.

He claimed the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles with his win over Tszyu and bagged the WBA welterweight belt following his victory over Collazo.