By Martin Domin,Mathew Davies

Copyright walesonline

The family of Ricky Hatton have praised his “kindness, humour and loyalty” in a moving statement following his passing. Hatton, aged 46, was found dead at his Manchester home on Sunday . He rose to fame as one of Britain’s most beloved boxers during his career, reaching its pinnacle in 2005 when he became world champion in his hometown of Manchester. He later faced off against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, suffering losses in both bouts – defeats that led him into a severe depression. However, in recent years he had managed to overcome his personal struggles, returning to the gym to train fighters and speaking candidly about his mental health. In a statement issued by his family, they described the former world champion as someone who “had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was fortunate enough to know him”. The full statement read: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard. Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many. He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him,” reports the Mirror . “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 a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support. It has been a source of great comfort to see just how many lives Richard touched, and how widely he was admired and respected. “At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we come to terms with life without him. In the days and weeks ahead, we will take strength from one another and from the knowledge that Richard’s legacy – both in boxing and as a man – will continue to live on. Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.” Hatton savoured the pinnacle of his career on home turf when he defeated Kostya Tszyu to claim the IBF welterweight crown at the Manchester Arena in 2005. Floral tributes and replica shirts from Hatton’s cherished Manchester City were placed outside his Hyde residence on Monday morning as the area began processing the departure of one of its most celebrated sporting heroes. Manny Pacquiao, another former adversary who defeated Hatton in 2009, expressed his sympathies. Pacquiao shared on Instagram: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ricky Hatton. He was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life. “We shared unforgettable moments in boxing history and I will always honor the respect and sportsmanship he showed. Ricky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey. “My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the Hatton family and all his loved ones. May the Lord give you strength and comfort in this difficult time. May he rest in peace.” A minute’s applause took place before Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium in honour of Hatton. City midfielder Phil Foden expressed to Sky Sports prior to the match: “My heart obviously goes out to his family, at this hard time. Obviously to hear the news just before a big game is devastating. “I’m sure he would have been here today as well, supporting us. Today is for him and we’re going to try to get the win and do the best we can for him.”