Ricky Hatton’s household have shared their “love and gratitude” for the general public response after the two-weight world champion boxer was discovered lifeless at his house in Higher Manchester on the age of 46.
Hatton established himself as one of the standard boxers in historical past throughout an expert profession lasting between 1997 and 2012, backed by an enormous following from England who adored his all-action combating type and charisma exterior of the ring.
“As a household, our loss is immeasurable,” the Hattons stated in an announcement. “Phrases can not really seize the ache we really feel.
“But within the midst of our grief, now we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of affection and help. It has been a supply of nice consolation to see simply what number of lives Richard touched and the way broadly he was admired and revered.”
Higher Manchester Police stated the demise just isn’t being handled as suspicious.
Ricky Hatton file: British boxing legend
Hatton held the WBU light-welterweight title between 2001 and 2004 earlier than changing into a unified champion and a light-weight titlist.
Throughout his 48-fight, 32-knockout profession, one in all Hatton’s best performances was an Eleventh-round knockout of Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in June 2005 to win the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles.
Apart from a comeback defeat in 2012, Hatton’s solely two losses got here to 2 all-time boxing greats within the US, towards Floyd Mayweather in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
Stockport-born Hatton had overtly mentioned his psychological well being struggles and drug habit, surviving suicide makes an attempt brought on by despair.
Ricky Hatton demise: Household tribute
“Richard was a lot greater than a world champion,” stated Hatton’s household. “To us, he was merely ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a real buddy to many.
“He had a coronary heart as massive as his smile and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everybody who was fortunate sufficient to know him.
“To the broader world, Richard will at all times be remembered as one in all boxing’s biggest champions — a person who gave the whole lot contained in the ring and wore his coronary heart on his sleeve exterior of it.
“He impressed generations together with his combating spirit, his humility, and his love for the game. However past the titles, the nights to recollect and the roar of the gang, he remained the identical down-to-earth Richard who by no means forgot the place he got here from.
“At the moment, we kindly ask for privateness as we come to phrases with life with out him. Within the days and weeks forward, we are going to take energy from each other and from the data that Richard’s legacy – each in boxing and as a person – will proceed to stay on.”
Ricky Hatton: Amir Khan on buddy
“In the present day we misplaced not solely one in all Britain’s biggest boxers however a buddy, a mentor, a warrior,” stated former light-weight and light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan on Sunday.
“As fighters, we inform ourselves we’re robust — we practice, we sweat, we take hits, we stand up. However typically the toughest combat occurs in silence, within the thoughts.
“Psychological well being isn’t weak point. It’s a part of being human. And we should speak about it. We should attain out. We should lean on one another.
“Ricky, thanks for the whole lot. In your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thanks for pushing us, displaying us what’s potential.
“To everybody studying this: in case you’re hurting or struggling, you aren’t alone. Speak. Attain out. As a result of we want extra mild, extra compassion, extra understanding.
“Relaxation properly, Ricky. You’ll at all times have your house within the ring of our recollections.”
