A FORMER lover of Ricky Hatton has revealed her heartbreak over his death – saying she wishes she could have been there for him in his final days.
Anna Sinclair, 41, enjoyed a whirlwind on-and-off romance with the boxer, who was tragically found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday, between December and March, after meeting him in a bar in Tenerife in early 2024.
Anna SinclairRicky Hatton and Anna Sinclair first met in a bar in Tenerife, where he had a holiday home[/caption]
GettyCops confirmed Ricky was found dead at his home in the early hours of Sunday[/caption]
Anna says she is heartbroken over Ricky’s deathAnna Sinclair
The mum-of-two, who lives in Tenerife, near to where Ricky owned a holiday apartment, revealed how there was huge chemistry between them, but they could never get their “timing right” to make things serious.
She told how the boxing champ was always surrounded by people “who wanted something from him” and had such a big heart he “could never say no” but she cherishes the times they spent alone together, where she felt he could be his “true self”.
Tragic Ricky, 46, was found dead at his home in the early hours of Sunday, with Greater Manchester Police confirming it did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Anna says she felt like her “heart stopped” when she heard of his death and is devastated that she turned down a final date with him back in March.
Anna told The Sun: “Ricky and I could never get our timing right, but the attraction was undeniable from the very start.
“The first time we met was early last year, it was at a bar in Tenerife.
“I wrote my number on his chest, as he had no top on.
“I showed him my Tyson Fury tattoo, and he joked that I should cover it up with his portrait.
“The funny thing is, last year I actually did get a tattoo of him on my leg. I don’t think he really knew what to say when I showed him it, but he was pretty charmed by it.
“I thought we were the real thing; it was really something special.
“When we were alone, it was incredible, but he was always surrounded by people wanting to talk to him and get his picture.
“I knew he had his struggles, and he was scared to let me in closer. I wish he had opened up to me more.
“All these people that constantly surrounded him, I feel they didn’t let him be himself.
“With me, he was like a young, happy boy, and we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.
Anna SinclairAnna had a whirlwind romance with the boxer[/caption]
Anna SinclairShe said she and Ricky could never ‘get their timing right’[/caption]
Anna SinclairAnna shows Ricky her Tyson Fury tattoo[/caption]
“And as soon as fans came, he changed the way he spoke and acted. He did love his fans and he enjoyed it, but it was a lot; there was always someone who wanted something from him.”
Anna’s favourite memory of Ricky is the time they spent together in the run-up to Christmas last year after he had broken up with Claire Sweeney.
The boxer had been dating his Dancing on Ice co-star in secret for eight months, but Claire confirmed their split in early December, saying they had remained friends.
48 hours in paradise
Anna says they shared a few romantic days together last December, saying it was “beautiful and romantic.”
She says: “I really had feelings for him. Last December, just before Christmas, we spent an incredible night of love together.
“We spent an entire 48 hours together, and it was really intense. I was thinking that we’re getting married.
“We were enjoying spending time together, but then, really quickly, he was just surrounded by people.
“People started popping out of everywhere and sitting with us at the table. Throughout the day, we were going to different bars, and there were just more and more of them.
“There were always people around him wanting something from him, either to have a drink, an autograph or chat with him.
Anna SinclairAnna said she wishes Ricky would have opened up to her more[/caption]
Anna SinclairAnna and Ricky near his home in Tenerife[/caption]
Anna says people always surrounded Ricky when he was outAnna Sinclair
“I wish we had more alone time together because I felt when he was with me, he was his true self.
“When it was just me and him alone, we never stopped kissing, he would tell me: ‘You’re so sensual, I’ve never met someone like you’.
“We were really into each other, but the timings never worked out to make it anything official or serious.”
I wish we had more alone time together because I felt when he was with me he was his true self
Anna Sinclair
Anna, who at the time was in a long-distance marriage, says she always thought the pair would one day make a go of things – but it was sadly not to be.
She says: “I was in a long-distance marriage, which didn’t work out. Then he was with Claire.
“He asked me to wait for him, and I did. Luckily, in December, we were both single.
“I ended up trying to make things work with my ex-husband, but I always thought one day we’d be together, but it was not to be.”
‘Wished I’d gone to meet him’
Anna, who is now a Spanish resident but is originally from Russia, says she and Ricky always laughed a lot when they were together, and she has lots of funny memories that will stay with her forever.
“Ricky used to call me his ‘first Russian’ and I would call him ‘My Richard’,” she said.
“I remember one time he wanted to come to my flat, it’s right on the sea front in Las Galletas.
“But when he found out I have three cats, he said, ‘No way – I am so scared of cats, ‘ that is a funny memory for me.
“He wasn’t a shallow person because I am not a model-type and I don’t wear false eyelashes, nails or hair.
“He loved me with no make-up on in my pyjamas or sports clothes outside.”
Anna SinclairRicky signing a shirt while out with Anna[/caption]
Anna SinclairAnna’s tattoo of Ricky and his gym logo[/caption]
After their sizzling time in Tenerife, Ricky went to Thailand for work, but the pair stayed in touch over text.
But things fizzled out over the next few months as Ricky threw himself into work commitments and Anna tried to give things another go with her ex.
Anna says: “I was texting him and telling him I missed him.
“He was always very busy, and I don’t think he knew how to fit me into his life.
“He acted very tough and independent, but I think he needed someone in his life to be there for him.
“I felt like he was carrying too much on his shoulders and trying to be there for everyone but not for himself.
“He should have really given us some more ‘us’ time, healing time. Love heals everything.
“I flew back to England to divorce my husband. Then I decided to try to patch things up with my ex, even though we are now divorced.
I felt like he was carrying too much on his shoulders and trying to be there for everyone but not for himself
Anna Sinclair
“Ricky texted me again on March 7, asking to meet me on March 15th in Tenerife because he was thinking about me a lot.
“I told him I was still in the UK trying to work out my marriage, so he said ‘Cool’ and sent me a heart. I wish now I had gone to meet him; things might have been so different.”
Anna said she and dad-of-three Ricky, who has left behind son Campbell, 24, and daughters Millie, 13, and Fearne, 12, bonded as they both had similar-aged daughters.
She said: “He talked about his daughters a lot and told me how much he misses them being little; now they are getting into their teenage years.
“I related because my girls are 14 and 15, and it’s always like, ‘Mum stop, you are so embarrassing’ and he said his are the same.
“My heart breaks for his children. I am sending lots of his love to his family and children.”
Anna says she knew that Ricky had his struggles and wished that he had opened up to her more.
“I knew he did struggle, and he was scared to let me in closer,” she said.
“I remember texting him once and he said he was having some mental struggles and asked me not to add to that.
“I always tried to be there for him and make him smile, but he never opened up to me.
“I think he was always scared of having his heart broken.”
‘A real fighter to the end’
Anna, who ended up covering her Ricky tattoo with a lion, still has the emblem of his gym tattooed, which she says she will keep forever to remember their time together.
She said she won’t be able to attend any funeral or memorial as she doesn’t have a visa for the UK but he will always be in her thoughts.
“When I heard he had died I felt like my heart stopped. I couldn’t believe it,” Anna said.
“It’s so tragic that he passed away so young. I wish I could have been there for him in his last days.
“Since I heard the news I feel like he is with me, smiling and looking down from the sky.
“We never had a chance to say goodbye because we didn’t want to. The tattoo of his emblem will stay forever as a memory of this man.
“Ricky is a legend and a real fighter to the end.
“So many millions of people love him and respect him, I feel so fortunate to know him even closer. We had our own fairy tale behind closed doors.”
Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
By Jack Figg
Paulie Malignaggi, November 2008
In his first fight since splitting with long-time trainer Billy Graham, Hatton dominated Malignaggi in one of his best displays of boxing.
Coached by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton would earn a 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a horrifying KO loss.
Luis Collazo, June 2007
Hatton dropped the veteran American in the opening seconds of round one and looked on course for a demolition job.
But he was taken to the brink over 12 rounds but held on to victory – earning him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather six months later.
Kostya Tszyu, June 2005
Russian-born Aussie Tszyu was behind only Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings when he travelled to Manchester.
And Hatton pulled off a career-best win to stop Tszyu in the 11th round of what was a brutal war. He became light-welterweight world champ.
Eamonn Magee, June 2002
Hatton was dropped by the Irishman and looked to be on the brink of defeat.
But he got to his feet and rallied back to win over 12 rounds – showcasing his trademark grit and determination.
Jon Thaxton, October 2000
Hatton had to overcome a nasty cut – not for the first time in his career – to edge out a points win.
It won him the British light-welterweight title.
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