DAVID HAYE has paid an emotional tribute to his “brother” Ricky Hatton.
Former boxing world champion Hatton died at the age of 46 after he was found dead at his home on Sunday.
Instagram / @davidhayeDavid Haye has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Ricky Hatton[/caption]
Instagram / @davidhayeHaye said Hatton ‘wasn’t perfect but he was real’[/caption]
Instagram / @davidhayeHaye described Hatton as a ‘brother’[/caption]
Instagram / @davidhayeHe also described Hatton as a ‘warrior’[/caption]
Tributes poured in from all over the world for the fan-favourite Mancunian, including from ex-boxing rivals, footballers and celebrities.
And former two-weight world boxing champion Haye has now added his voice to the chorus of tributes which poured in.
He described Hatton as “honest to the core” and declared he was someone who “defined what being a champion truly means”, while sharing pictures of them together.
Taking to Instagram, he said: “Ricky was a brother in this sport. When I saw him train, fight, give it his all.
“I saw a man who defined what being a champion truly means. Not just belts and wins, but grit, humility, kindness, and loyalty. He wasn’t perfect, but he was real, honest to the core.
“We shared many nights out together all over the world, living life to the fullest as only fighters of our era knew how. He was never going to live a quiet, boring life, that wasn’t The Hitman.
“He was a warrior, the kind of man who would have been on the battlefield 1,000 years ago wielding an axe, and I’d have been proud to stand beside him fighting the enemy.
“I know right now he’s up there in heaven, a cold pint in hand, saving me a seat for when it’s my time. Rest well Ricky, your fight goes on through all of us.”
Hatton’s manager discovered the boxing star’s body after checking on him at home when he didn’t show up at a boxing event.
Cops said they were called by a member of the public to attend the scene at 6.45am, where they “found the body of a 46-year-old man”.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding Ricky’s death.
And now, it has been revealed that Ricky was discovered by his long-term manager and close pal Paul Speak.
Boxing pundit Steve Bunce explained Paul went to Ricky’s home after he failed to show at an event on Saturday night.
Speaking to 5Live, Bunce said: “On the Saturday night, Ricky hadn’t gone to a boxing show.
“Speaky had found out Sunday morning. Speaky went round and let himself into the house.
“In fact it was Paul Speak who found his great friend and the people’s champion Ricky Hatton. Speaky deserves a little bit of love. You can’t even begin to imagine.
“It’s a 25-year relationship they’ve had as his commercial and business manager, but more than that it’s his close friend. It’s his confidant.
“I can’t think of another relationship like it in sport to be perfectly honest. So Speaky was the one that found him.”
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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