Micah Richards and Roy Keane have paid emotional tributes to British boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who has died at the age of 46.
Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday morning.
Greater Manchester Police have stated that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
In July, Hatton confirmed plans to make a comeback to professional boxing later this year, having retired back in 2012.
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According to the Daily Mirror, the Manchester City fan was due to attend Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester United.
The fixture will be shown live on Sky Sports - with the broadcaster dedicating the first part of their coverage to Hatton.
Richards and Keane, who are both pundits for the fixture, paid their tributes to Hatton.
"The news is devastating," Richards said. "When we got the news about half an hour ago, I was taken aback, to be honest.
"He was such an icon, a British icon, boxing, sports. A true Manchester City fan. But most importantly, he was a man of the people. He was the nicest guy ever.
"I remember going down to one of his gyms, and I was nervous, because I didn't really know about boxing.
"He took his time ... and for him to take the time and effort... I've been multiple times for beers with him, and just talking about football and life.
"The news is just devastating. He'd be here today, he'd be celebrating. He's had a box here many times. And to get this news now, it just feels surreal. For someone this young, for this to happen now, it's just devastating."
Keane added: "The guy was a warrior. I think that's why the fans loved watching him in that ring. We know how tough that sport is.
"My god, he gave everything for that sport, and I think that's why the fans loved following him. He had a number of fights in America and thousands would travel over, because they thought so highly of him.
"Again, he left everything in that ring. Absolutely shocking news."
Hatton won 45 of his 48 professional boxing fights, and was a multiple-time world champion.
He won 43 consecutive fights, and regularly boxed in America towards the end of his career.
In December 2007, he lost his first professional bout to Floyd Mayweather Jr in a fight billed as 'Undefeated'.
Hatton went on hiatus from boxing after losing his light-welterweight titles to Manny Pacquiao, before officially retiring in 2012 after a brief comeback attempt.
His son, Campbell, also became a professional boxer but quit the sport back in July to become a solar panel installer.
Topics: Micah Richards, Roy Keane, Ricky Hatton, Boxing, Manchester City
Ryan Smart