PHIL TAYLOR has spoken about his feeling of devastation over the death of close pal Ricky Hatton.
He’s also told how Hatton’s father Ray is also struggling.
GettyRay Hatton text Phil Taylor after not hearing from his son[/caption]
AFPTaylor is ‘devastated’ over Hatton’s death[/caption]
The 16-time world darts champion is still coming to terms with the unexpected loss of former boxer Hatton, who died this month at the age of 46.
Hatton, a popular figure in Manchester, fought 48 times professionally at either light welterweight or welterweight between 1997 and 2012.
Taylor, 65, said: “I’m gutted. Gutted. In fact his dad Ray texted me the other night when I was in the hotel because he hadn’t been on his phone for a few days.
“I understand that. It’s breaking his heart. I should go see him next week.
“He only lives round the corner from where Richard used to live. I’m absolutely devastated to be honest.
“Richard was just normal for me. Some people say he could be a bit shirty when he’s had a drink. I never saw it but we all can, can’t we?
“He was always normal with me, happy-go-lucky.
“If I did interviews with him in trainer Billy Graham’s gym he’d be squirting the water bottle down the back of my bloody neck and things like.
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.
“I’d say: ‘Ricky, you swine.’ Or he’d give you a rib tickler. But he was good fun. Nice company to be with.”
Taylor, a huge boxing fan, was unable to attend Hatton’s Box Office fights with Floyd Mayweather, Paulie Malignaggi and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas due to work commitments on the oche.
But he was there for the 2002 bout in Manchester with Irishman Eamonn Magee.
And he was ringside for Hatton’s career-defining fight in June 2005 when he beat Australian Kostya Tszyu at the MEN Arena to claim the IBF light-welterweight title in his 39th successive pro win.
Taylor – who retired from professional darts after the 2018 world final – said: “Once Ricky got a time and date for a boxing fight, he was like a monk. He was so disciplined.
“When he lived with his mum and dad, they had the pub close by.
“So he used to run up the road and there was a McDonald’s at the top. Obviously he’s bloody hungry because he’s in training.
“So he’d do an extra two miles and then he’d run back. Ray used to say to him: ‘Right, get on the scales.’
“He’d get on the scales. How much is it? ‘I’ve dropped two pounds, dad.’
“His dad would then say: ‘Right you can have some milk in your coffee!’ That was his treat. Not a McDonald’s.
“Ricky was very clever in the ring with his elbows. If I’ve done a little spar with him, he’d put his elbows in here and he was pulling you down and hitting. He was great.
“I went to many of his fights. I went to the one against Kostya Tszyu. And the one with Eamonn Magee.
“He was in Las Vegas once. He actually phoned me while he was doing some promotion work.
“My name was up in lights at the MGM Grand for the darts Desert Classic.
“As you walked across from the New York-New York Hotel, you’ve got the big billboards – and it was me in front of him.
“He rang up: ‘Phil, it’s Ricky.’ I said: ‘Hiya pal.’ He says your name’s up in lights here playing darts!”
Noel Gallagher’s Hatton text message
OASIS star Noel Gallagher says he texted tragic boxer Ricky Hatton days before he died.
The guitarist, 58, also revealed how his pal was joking around at recent gigs in Manchester.
Noel said: “We were texting. I saw him at Heaton Park a couple of the nights, and he was on standard Ricky form, wisecracking with everyone.
“He was having a drink. He was great. We don’t know what happened, but he struggled with mental health, that’s widely known.
“It just shows you that you never really know. It’s such a shame. He’s a great Mancunian.”
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