Jess Battison
The boxer who was set to fight Ricky Hatton has shared some tragic details.
Found at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, it was announced that the legend had died yesterday morning (14 September).
Police said the 46-year-old’s death is not being treated as suspicious as tributes continue to pour in for the boxer.
Hatton’s family also released a statement this morning, calling the loss ‘immeasurable’ as they found ‘great comfort’ in seeing how ‘many lives Richard touched’.
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Easily one of the most popular British boxers of all time, the People’s Champion had been set to face UAE fighter Eisa Al Dah in Dubai in December.
The boxer says he was set to meet with the icon of the sport this week as he describes being ‘heartbroken’ over his death.
“In just a couple of hours, I was [going to see] him here in Dubai. We booked the hotel. We booked the [plane] ticket. Everything had been arranged,” he told The National.
He claimed Hatton was due to fly to Dubai on Sunday ahead of media events to promote the ‘Destiny in the Desert 2’ bout.
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“From my side, I was checking everything, and I was so excited to see him over here and visit us here in Dubai. And he was also excited. But suddenly, I get this news from his managers. My heart is broken,” Al Dah continued.
The boxer added that since it was confirmed they would fight, he came ‘very close’ to Hatton.
“I follow his life, how he trained, everything. I cannot believe it. I wish somebody told me this is wrong,” Al Dah said. "I've been through many things in my life in the boxing or business. But this is something that I cannot believe."
Hatton truly was an icon of the sport, boasting an impressive record of 45 wins in 48 professional fights, with 32 of these victories coming via knockout.
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The statement from his family added: “To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.
“He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.”
As they requested privacy, Hatton’s family said his memory will ‘forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly’.