Oasis star Noel Gallagher has given a touching tribute to close friend and legendary boxer Ricky Hatton after his death aged 46.
The Hitman was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday. His death his not being treated as suspicious.
In the wake of the tragedy, mourners from across the sporting world have paid tribute to the Stockport fighter. Hatton has also received poignant farewells from family members – including his parents, young brother Matthew, and son Campbell.
The long-serving manager of Ricky Hatton found the body of the sporting legend at his home in Hyde on Sunday morning, boxing pundit Steve Bunce has revealed.
On the back of the tributes, meanwhile, Noel Gallagher has now given his own, revealing that the pair recently exchanged text messages.
The Oasis singer has been on tour with his brother Liam in the Oasis reunion, but took time out of his busy schedule to pay tribute to his close friend.
Oasis star Noel Gallagher (right) has paid a heartwarming tribute to close friend Ricky Hatton (left) after his death
Hatton passed away at the age of 46 on Sunday and formed a friendship with the Gallaghers
‘We were texting each other last week,’ Gallagher said on TalkSport. ‘I saw him at Heaton Park a couple of times that night, and he was on standard Ricky form.
‘We don’t know what has happened, but he did struggle with mental health, and it just shows you that you never really know. It is such a shame because he is a great Mancunian, and a lovely, lovely lad. He was one of us.
‘We did a tour of South America, and he came along with all his mates for the week, and it was like he was part of the band for a week. It is a real shame for his family and his kids, and his grandkids. I was really gobsmacked by it.
‘But he had an amazing career, and the night Liam and I carried his belts out in Vegas was one of the funniest nights ever. It was an honour for us to do that, but it was a funny night with him.’
Like the Gallagher brothers, Hatton was a huge Manchester City fan and a regular at the Etihad to watch their games.
Phil Foden and Pep Guardiola were among members of the City family who paid their own tributes, with City beating local rivals Manchester United 3-0 on the day of Hatton’s death.
The Gallagher brothers famously carried Hatton’s belts to the ring ahead of his 2008 fight with Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas.
‘It’s sad we will never see him at the Etihad again,’ Gallagher added. ‘We were up at City and he said he was fighting in Vegas and he asked us straight up, “Will you carry the belts out?”
Noel and brother Liam (left) carried Hatton’s belts to the ring ahead of his 2008 fight with Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas
‘And then of course me and our kid [Liam] had an argument about who carried the belts for about four weeks.
‘I remember him as a funny lad. We had a funny night out around the clubs after that.
‘That image of him as a wise-cracking lad, that was him. And he will be sorely missed. He was such a humble, lovely guy.’
