Ricky Hatton’s younger brother has posted his tribute to the tragic boxer, as he struggles to come to grips with Sunday’s shocking news.
Boxing icon Hatton, 46, was found at his home in Greater Manchester this morning, where mourners today emotionally laid floral tributes and gloves. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
The tragic news has prompted an outpouring of emotion, with many offering their thoughts on Hatton, the much-loved Stockport fighter who became a world champion.
And now his brother Matthew has posted a heartbreaking collage of photographs showing off their closeness as he mourns the man he called by his full name, Richard.
Matthew wrote: ‘I love you Richard. See you on the other side X’.
Matthew Hatton was also a boxer and fought on the undercard of some of Ricky’s biggest fights.
Ricky Hatton’s brother Matthew shared this collage of photos of the pair together
The duo were by each other’s sides for much of their boxing careers and were close away from the ring
The 44-year-old, who previously fought for British and Commonwealth titles, was seen smiling next to his brother in the six photos in the collage.
The first photo saw the two brothers together as children in a school photo, while the following three saw snaps of the duo during their boxing careers.
Perhaps most poignant, though, was the final two pictures, which showed Matt and Ricky in their older years, arms round each other and enjoying jokes.
Matthew joined the boxing world in mourning, with Tyson Fury, who had a close friendship with Hatton and battled similar demons to his fellow boxing superstar, expressing his disbelief.
The ‘Gypsy King’ took to Instagram and wrote: ‘RIP to the legend, Ricky Hatton. There will only be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this, so young.’
Alongside his caption was an image of Hatton and Fury in the gym with their shirts off during a period when Fury had also been suffering from depression and had ballooned in weight.
Another British boxing legend, Amir Khan, wrote: ‘Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton. As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up.
‘But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.
Hatton’s death was announced on Sunday at the age of 46 and tributes flooded in for the Brit
Tyson Fury (left and right) shared photos when expressing his disbelief at the tragic news
Amir Khan also paid tribute to a fellow British boxing legend with a lengthy social media post
‘Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible.
Daily Mail Sport understands that friends were initially concerned last night, when Hatton failed to appear at an event featuring one of his boxers.
And news then broke on Sunday morning, with the boxing fraternity in particular shaken to the core.
Frank Warren, the veteran promoter, took to X and wrote: ‘I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton.
‘A superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before due to both his personality and the entertainment he provided in the ring.
‘From making his debut Widnes in 1997 to then go on to win one of the most historic fights in British boxing history against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester, Ricky will rightly go down as one of the modern greats of this sport. My deepest condolences go out to his family at this awful time.’
He later went on GB News, adding: ‘It is just awful. He was 46 and still a young man. I don’t know what the circumstance are of it all but it is such an awful thing to happen. He was a British sporting icon, not just a boxing icon but a sporting icon. He was a man of the people, I remember when I signed him aged 18 and he sold three or five tickets for his first fight, eventually going off to Las Vegas and took 30,000 Brits with him to watch him. What you saw was what you got with Ricky, a lovely, lovely bloke. He was a fan’s friend, he was a bloke, he’d be down the pub with them. He was a massive Manchester City fan and I hope they pay tribute at the derby because he was Manchester through and through.’
‘To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding. Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.’
Hatton was due to return to the ring in December and also took up coaching after retiring
After retiring from the ring, Hatton had moved into coaching but was due to return to the sport with a fight planned 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.
A huge Manchester City supporter, he was due to be at the Etihad Stadium for Sunday afternoon’s derby with United, and had a table in a corporate hospitality area.
There was a minute’s applause at the stadium before kick-off, with players and fans able to pay their respects to the much-loved son of Manchester.
