MANCHESTER CITY and Man Utd paid tribute to Ricky Hatton with a minute’s applause ahead of the Manchester derby.
Both sets of players wore black armbands to honour the legendary boxer following his death.
Man City and Man Utd paid tribute to Ricky Hatton with a minute’s applause
GettyThe boxing legend died aged 46[/caption]
Pep Guardiola appeared close to tears on the touchline
Pep Guardiola was close to tears as he applauded on the touchline, as were many Man City fans.
Hatton was found dead in his Manchester home this morning – he was 46.
Tributes have poured in from across the boxing and sporting world, including from the likes of David Beckham, Amir Khan and Tyson Fury.
Police said they were called by a member of the public to attend the scene, stating they did not believe his death was suspicious.
A statement read: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend an address in Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man.
“There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Hatton was a big City fan and had a box at the Etihad, and the club released a statement paying tribute.
It reads: “Manchester City are devastated to learn Ricky Hatton has passed away, aged 46.
“Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters, who will always be remembered for a glittering boxing career that saw him win world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight.
“Everyone at the Club would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
“We can confirm there will be a minute’s appreciation ahead of today’s game against Manchester United.”
Pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards, who played for City, also shared some touching words about the boxer ahead of kick-off.
Richards said: “The news is devastating. I was taken aback because he’s such an icon.
“British icon, boxing, sports. True Man City fan but most importantly he was a man of the people. He was the nicest man ever.
“He was a deep person. Very deep. He overthought a lot of things. The news is just devastating.
“It’s absolutely ruined my mood for the whole day. He would be here today, celebrating. He’s had a box here many times.
“To get this news now just feels surreal. Someone so young, for this to happen now is devastating.”
Ruben Amorim applauds during the tribute
Both sets of players came together to applaud Hatton
Hatton was a big Man City fan
Fan favourite Hatton, known as The Hitman, won four world titles after trading blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
Hatton, who was awarded an MBE, had worked as a boxing promoter and trainer since hanging up his gloves.
He also appeared on the TV show Dancing on Ice last year.
The boxer – who was an Oasis fan – famously had Noel and Liam Gallagher walk him into the ring for his 2008 fight, and later attended their reunion concerts.
Tributes have flooded in for the legendary down-to-earth fighter, with heartbroken posts reading: “RIP Hitman”.
Fellow boxing legend Tyson Fury wrote on Instagram: “Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he RIP. There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this so young.”
Hatton’s stellar career spanned from 1997 to 2012, in which he held multiple world championships.
The grandad recently announced he was going to lace up his gloves again on December 2 for a Dubai dust-up with Eisa Aldah – thirteen years after his ill-fated comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
After his retirement he struggled with alcohol abuse and depression, but got himself back on the straight and narrow three years ago for an exhibition bout with Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera.
He has candidly spoken out about his struggles in the past.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
