Pep Guardiola was on the brink of tears as Manchester City honoured the late, great Ricky Hatton ahead of this afternoon’s derby with United.
Hatton was a lifelong City fan and his beloved club arranged to hold a minute’s applause, while both sides are wearing black armbands in memory of the Mancunian fighter, who was found dead at his home this morning.
Hatton was well known to staff at City and had been due to sit at a table in hospitality for the clash.
Many have been left distraught by the development and there was unsurprisingly a deeply sombre mood to start proceedings at the Etihad.
‘Manchester City are devastated to learn of the sad passing of City fan and boxing legend Ricky Hatton, aged 46,’ a club statement read.
‘Hatton, an icon of British boxing, won world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight, and was viewed by many as one of the most compelling personalities the sport has ever produced.
Pep Guardiola had tears in his eyes as Manchester City paid tribute to fighter Ricky Hatton
Just hours after his death was revealed, a minute’s applause was held at the Manchester derby
‘He won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across an outstanding 15-year career in the ring, which included famous world title wins over Russia’s Kostya Tszyu and Mexico’s Jose Luis Castillo.
‘Known as ‘The Hitman’, Hatton was famous for bringing huge numbers of fans to Las Vegas for his fights, most notably his 2007 bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr., where more than 30,000 travelled from the UK to watch him at the MGM Grand.
‘Few, if any, British boxers can claim to have garnered such a dedicated fanbase.
‘His audience were captivated by his relentless, front-foot boxing style and felt a deep connection to the humble, down-to-earth human being he had always been.
‘It was the realisation of a lifetime ambition for Ricky. A scholar of boxing, he had always dreamed of making the Las Vegas strip his own – and he did so in some style.
‘Hatton wore sky blue shorts and used Blue Moon as his walkout song throughout his career – and in 2008 he fulfilled another dream when he fought Juan Lazcano at the Etihad Stadium.
‘Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters. He will always be remembered.
‘Everyone at the club would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
‘We can confirm there will be a minute’s appreciation ahead of today’s game against Manchester United.’
Hatton was one of City’s most beloved supporters and he constantly showed off their colours
He regularly attended matches at the Etihad Stadium and was due to be at Sunday’s derby
City put on a show for the former world boxing champion, who died aged 46 just weeks after announcing his dramatic return to the ring.
Phil Foden opened the scoring before a brace from Erling Haaland secured the bragging rights for City in a 3-0 win over Manchester United.
‘100% I had extra motivation going into the game, it was for him and his family and for the people suffering right now,’ Foden said afterwards.
‘The lads gave everything. It wasn’t a pretty match but it was all for him.’
Hatton was found at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday morning, where a police cordon currently sits outside, and his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Daily Mail Sport understands that friends were initially concerned last night, when Hatton failed to appear at a fight involving one of his boxers, believed to be Jack Murphy who won his bout in Bolton.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.’
Hatton had one son, Campbell, who retired from boxing at 24 to become a solar panel installer in July, two daughters, Millie and Fearne, and a granddaughter called Lyla.
Nicknamed ‘the Hitman’, Hatton was an aggressive and brave fighter who held multiple world and UK titles between 1997 and 2012 – including the night he toppled Kostya Tszyu to go from underdog to boxing sensation overnight.
After retiring from the ring, he had moved in to coaching but was due to return to the sport with a fight planned in Dubai in December.
Hatton, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2007, had often spoken of his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.
Hatton is pictured in 2018 – following the Ultimate Boxxer Launch at the ME London Hotel
Hatton with his son Campbell during a public workout at the National Football Museum in Manchester in October 2024
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said: ‘The news is devastating, he’s such an icon. True Manchester City fan, but more importantly he was a man of the people. It feels surreal for someone so young.’
Speaking ahead of the Manchester derby later, Roy Keane also added: ‘The guy was a warrior, he gave everything for that sport.
‘The fans thought so highly of him because he left everything in that ring, absolutely shocking news.’
Former footballer Stan Collymore worte: ‘Desperately sad news about the death of Ricky Hatton. Spoke incredibly candidly about his own struggles and mental health which would have helped so many with their own. Rest in peace, Ricky.’
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