Ricky Hatton revealed how he ‘wanted to be remembered’ one week before his death

Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Manchester (Picture: Getty)

Ricky Hatton opened up on how he ‘wanted to be remembered’ just one week before his tragic death.

The former world champion boxer and British sporting legend was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday morning.

Greater Manchester Police said there were ‘not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the 46-year-old’s death.

Hatton came from a council estate in Stockport to become one of the best and most popular boxers of his generation, winning world titles in two weight divisions.

‘The Hitman’ won 42 of his 45 professional fights during a brilliant 15-year career and was world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight.

Two of Hatton’s defeats came against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, two of the greatest fighters in history.

Hatton was interviewed by former world champion Darren Barker just a week before his death and was spoke about hoe he wanted to be remembered.

Hatton won 42 of his 45 professional fights (Picture: Getty)

Speaking to First Round TV, Hatton said: ‘I didn’t want to be the best that we’ve ever had. But I think I always dreamt of hopefully being up there, mentioned in the same bracket.

‘I didn’t want to be No. 1. As long as they can turn around and say, as they do today… Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton, Carl Froch, Frank Bruno.

‘And when they mention Ricky Hatton in amongst my heroes, I’ll never ever wake up from that.

‘And I think the way I’d like to be remembered is… I guess I was one of the best we had.

‘I do a lot of sportsman’s dinners with Frank [Bruno], and I feel very proud that they always say, “Our Frank and our Ricky.” It’s like we, not to say we were the best, but we were probably the two most loved.

‘I was man of the people, wasn’t I? I was a Jack the Lad, the kid next door, y’know? I couldn’t give two s***s, say it the way it is.

Hatton opened up on how he wanted to be remembered (Picture: Instagram)

‘And I think the best thing that come out of retirement with me was the love that I had from the fans. And the love that I have from the fans still.

‘I think people remember me as one hell of a fighter, but yeah, one of the boys.’

Hatton will indeed be remembered as one of Britain’s greatest ever boxers.

Frank Warren, his former promoter, described Hatton as ‘one of the modern greats of the sport’ after his sudden passing.

‘I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton,’ Warren said.

‘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.’

Former world champion Amir Khan paid tribute to ‘one of Britain’s greatest boxers’ while Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight champion of the world, said ‘there will only ever be one Ricky Hatton’.

Hatton’s family released a statement addressing his death on Monday, saying ‘words cannot truly capture the pain we feel’.

‘He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him,’ the Hatton family said.

‘As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.

‘Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.’

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