By Olivier Acuña Barba

Copyright euroweeklynews

The family of world boxing champion from Stockport, Ricky Hatton, who was found dead at age 46 at his home in Manchester, just weeks before making a comeback to the ring, has paid tribute to him.

Hatton died on September 14, and two days later, boxing pundit Steve Bunce revealed that Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton’s body had been found by his manager and longtime friend Paul Speaky. “On Saturday night (September 14), Ricky hadn’t gone to a boxing show. Speaky had found out Sunday morning that Ricky had not shown, so he went round and let himself into the house,” said Bunce. Speaky immediately notified police, who arrived at the scene and soon after reported the legendary boxer was in fact dead, but that it was not being treated as suspicious. However, the reasons for his passing remain unknown.

Hatton had recently posted on Instagram videos of himself working out in the gym in apparent preparation for his comeback fight in two months. On Sunday, Hatton’s family paid tribute to the former world champion. “He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him,” the Hatton family said. “Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly,” they added. Mr Hatton had been open about his struggles with mental health, his drug addiction and surviving suicide attempts.