1 hour ago
1
Manchester City will honour Ricky Hatton at this afternoon's derby with United.
It is understood those at Hatton's beloved club will hold a minute's applause and both sides will wear black armbands in memory of the Mancunian fighter, who was found dead at his home this morning.
Hatton was well known to staff at City and had been due to sit at a table in hospitality for the clash.
Many have been left distraught by the development and there is likely to be a deeply sombre mood at the Etihad.
'Manchester City are devastated to learn of the sad passing of City fan and boxing legend Ricky Hatton, aged 46,' a club statement read.
'Hatton, an icon of British boxing, won world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight, and was viewed by many as one of the most compelling personalities the sport has ever produced.
Manchester City and Manchester United players will wear black armbands to honour boxer and passionate City fan Ricky Hatton (right, pictured with his son Campbell) after his death at 46
Players will wear black armbands at the Etihad Stadium while a minute's applause is planned
'He won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across an outstanding 15-year career in the ring, which included famous world title wins over Russia’s Kostya Tszyu and Mexico’s Jose Luis Castillo.
'Known as ‘The Hitman’, Hatton was famous for bringing huge numbers of fans to Las Vegas for his fights, most notably his 2007 bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr., where more than 30,000 travelled from the UK to watch him at the MGM Grand.
'Few, if any, British boxers can claim to have garnered such a dedicated fanbase.
'His audience were captivated by his relentless, front-foot boxing style and felt a deep connection to the humble, down-to-earth human being he had always been.
'It was the realisation of a lifetime ambition for Ricky. A scholar of boxing, he had always dreamed of making the Las Vegas strip his own – and he did so in some style.
'Hatton wore sky blue shorts and used Blue Moon as his walkout song throughout his career – and in 2008 he fulfilled another dream when he fought Juan Lazcano at the Etihad Stadium.
'Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters. He will always be remembered.
'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.'
Hatton was one of City's most beloved supporters and he constantly showed off their colours
He regularly attended matches at the Etihad Stadium and was due to be at Sunday's derby
Hatton celebrates defeating Mexico's Jose Luis Castillo after a fourth round stoppage in 2007
The former world boxing champion died aged 46, just weeks after announcing his dramatic return to the ring.
Hatton was found at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday morning, where a police cordon currently sits outside, and his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Daily Mail Sport understands that friends were initially concerned last night, when Hatton failed to appear at a fight involving one of his boxers, believed to be Jack Murphy who won his bout in Bolton.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: 'Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, 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 had one son, Campbell, who retired from boxing at 24 to become a solar panel installer in July, two daughters, Millie and Fearne, and a granddaughter called Lyla.
Nicknamed 'the Hitman', Hatton was an aggressive and brave fighter who held multiple world and UK titles between 1997 and 2012 - including the night he toppled Kostya Tszyu to go from underdog to boxing sensation overnight.
After retiring from the ring, he had moved in to coaching but was due to return to the sport with a fight planned in Dubai in December.
Hatton, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2007, had often spoken of his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.
RICKY 'THE HITMAN' HATTON
1978 - October 6: Born in Stockport, Greater Manchester.
1996 - Captures bronze medal at the World Amateur Championships.
1997 - September 11: Makes professional debut under the guidance of trainer Billy Graham and knocks out Colin McAuley in the first round at Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes.
1999 - Claims first pro title with a second-round TKO win against Tommy Peacock for the vacant Central Area light-welterweight title.
2000 - October 21: Beats Jon Thaxton on points to win the British light-welterweight title.
2001 - March 26: Wins vacant 'fringe' WBU light-welterweight title with fourth-round stoppage of Tony Pep.
2002 - June 1: Suffers first knockdown of his career in opening round against Eamonn Magee, but battles back to win on points.
2005 - June 4: Shocks the world by beating Kostya Tszyu, considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, in Manchester, winning the IBF light-welterweight title.
November 26: Overcomes nasty cuts to beat Carlos Maussa and add WBA crown to his IBF title.
December 21: Becomes first British fighter to receive the prestigious Ring Magazine 'Fighter of the Year' award.
2006 - Moves up to welterweight division and labours to victory against Luis Collazo, claiming the WBA title.
December: Awarded MBE in New Year's Honours list.
2007 - January 20: Knocks out Jose Luis Castillo, retaining IBO belt and winning WBC international light-welterweight title, which was later vacated.
June: Hatton's team agree terms with the camp of Floyd Mayweather for a December 8 fight in Las Vegas.
December 8: Knocked out in the 10th round by Mayweather in the first defeat of his professional career.
2008 - May 24: Retains IBO light-welterweight title by securing a unanimous points verdict against Juan Lazcano in front of 55,000 supporters at Manchester City's Eastlands stadium.
July 29: Announces split from long-time trainer Billy Graham.
September 3: Announces he will be trained by Floyd Mayweather Snr for his November fight with Paulie Malignaggi.
November 22: Wins light-heavyweight bout with Malignaggi in Las Vegas after the American's corner retire him in the 11th round.
2009 - May 2: Hatton's reign as light-welterweight world champion comes to a brutal end as Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao delivers a stunning second-round knockout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
August 11: Hatton confirms an all-British fight against Amir Khan is 'a possibility'.
2010 - January 13: Hatton announces he will return to the ring in 2010.
September 13: A spokesman for Hatton confirms the fighter has entered a rehabilitation facility due to 'severe depression' and a 'drink problem'.
September 23: The British Boxing Board of Control announce they have withdrawn Hatton's boxer's licence.
2011 - July 7: Announces his retirement from boxing, more than two years after his defeat to Pacquiao.
2012 - September 14: Confirms at a press conference that he is to return to the ring, with a November 24 bout at the Manchester Arena against an as yet unnamed opponent.
September 28: Confirms he will take on Ukraine's former WBA welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko in his comeback fight.
November 24: Stopped in the ninth round by Senchenko. Announces retirement.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said: 'The news is devastating, he's such an icon. True Manchester City fan, but more importantly he was a man of the people. It feels surreal for someone so young.'
Speaking ahead of the Manchester derby later, Roy Keane also added: 'The guy was a warrior, he gave everything for that sport.
'The fans thought so highly of him because he left everything in that ring, absolutely shocking news.'
Former footballer Stan Collymore worte: 'Desperately sad news about the death of Ricky Hatton. Spoke incredibly candidly about his own struggles and mental health which would have helped so many with their own. Rest in peace, Ricky.'
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
