Ricky Hatton’s friend pays tribute to ‘one of a kind’ man

Ricky Hatton’s friend Terry said the boxer was a ‘champion of the people’ (Picture: Instagram/@terrystoneofficial)

Ricky Hatton’s friend Terry Stone has paid tribute to the boxing legend, saying everybody who knew him is in ‘a shock.’

Terry, who is known for his role in Rise of the Footsoldier and EastEnders, has remembered his friend, who was a passionate advocate for mental health and open about his own struggles.

Terry, the host of the Criminal Connection podcast, said the news of Ricky’s passing was ‘traumatic.’

He told Metro: ‘Ricky was in such good form before his fight. He was really positive and happy. He was in the best place he has ever been in.

Terry said Ricky will be ‘sorely missed’ by his family and friends (Picture: Instagram/@terrystoneofficial)

‘He was an amazing ambassador for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). He actually said that it saved his life and helped him through some dark times.’

Terry continued: ‘Ricky had amazing children, he was a great dad and a great family man.

‘Loads of people might know him just as a boxer, but for me, he was a good friend.

‘He could sing, he could do stand-up comedy.

Ricky and Terry became friends around 2009, but Terry had been following his boxing since his 20s (Picture: Instagram/@terrystoneofficial)

‘He wasn’t very good at ice skating, obviously, but he made a big joke about it, saying “people will watch it to see me fall and break my neck.” He embraced it with that great Mancunian sense of humour.

‘Ricky was a massive Man City and Oasis fan.

‘He was getting ready for his fight in Dubai.

‘And then the news came through that he is no longer with us, so everybody is shocked. It’s really traumatic.

‘There’s never a good time for anybody to go – 46 years of age.’

The proud Mancunian was due to be granted the freedom of the city of London as an honour to boost the champion before his planned return to the ring in Dubai on December 2, where he was set to face Eisa Aldah.

The pair first met in Marbella during a holiday around 2009, where they struck up a ‘bromance’ during an action-packed night that saw them end up in the middle of a shootout.

‘Me and my wife went to Nikki Beach for a night out, and a guy who owned the club said “you’ve got to meet Ricky Hatton, he’s in the VIP and he’s a massive fan of Rise of the Footsoldier,’ Terry told Metro.

‘When we met we had a bit of a laugh and he said I love your films, and I told him I love your boxing, I’ve been following you for the last 10 years, you are one of my idols.

‘We had a bit of a lovefest between two fellas.

‘There was actually a shootout at the club that night. We got grabbed hold of by the security and bundled out the door.

The friends resembled brothers or a ‘tribute band’ after Ricky shaved his head for charity, Terry said (Picture: Instagram/@terrystoneofficial)

‘I remember Ricky joking “we haven’t done anything.” We were kind of laughing about it, but my wife said “don’t ever bring me anywhere like this again.”

‘That was the first time we properly met, and we have been friends ever since.

‘We were going to do quite a lot of stuff together.

Terry said Ricky was ‘absolutely excited’ about fighting again.

‘He just wanted to make his fans proud and his family proud.’

The friends had a similar hair style after ‘Ricky shaved his head for charity.’

‘He had hair and recently he shaved it off for charity and for a laugh, and he said he look like twin brothers. Someone said we looked like a tribute band!

‘He was a people’s champion. Ricky Hatton was one of a kind.’

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