R.I.P Ricky Hatton

[Primo Carnera]

A very sad day for British Sport. If you ever imagined becoming a Boxer, wouldn’t you want to be someone with a huge following because you were so genuine and down to earth and the kind of Boxer that left nothing in the ring or Training camp?
Sadly, it seems like that wasn’t enough.
Various issues with drink, drugs, family disputes and rumoured financial problems have all played their part I’m sure.
When you look up people’s champion in the dictionary , there’s a video of Ricky Hatton at the weigh in for the Mayweather fight and THOUSANDS of fans singing “walking in a Ricky wonderland”.
The following he had will never be repeated. He had thousands turn up for his earliest professional fights, they didn’t jump on the bandwagon.
And he probably had a drink with most of them!
R.I.P. Ricky, you left your mark on this World.

[Britkid]

So sad…

Many on here saw the potential of the man from day one, not me; sure he is good, but Tszyu was on another level!

Humble pie never tasted so good.

Farewell champ, it is not right that such a thread is needed for a person in their mid 40s.

[TIC]

rest peacefully ricky

[Mark TKO]

Never been so shocked at the death of someone I didn't know - though I felt I knew him well. He was one of the lads till the end.

Echoing words from above he wasn't the most talented but an out and out pressure fighter, relentless who was on you from the opening bell and didn't give you a chance to breathe. If he'd fought Mayweather in a phone box there would only have been one winner.

I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the Mayweather fight and will never forget that week in Vegas when the adoring Hatton army took over. The
atmosphere at the weigh in was just incredible. That's what he meant to us.

He had his demons in recent years and I'm hoping when the truth comes out re his death it wasn't those demons that took him as we all hoped he'd overcome then.

Thoughts with his family and friends of which there were many who he he stayed loyal to despite his fame and fortune. He will be missed.

RIP and rest easy champ.

There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton.

[Greig]

Just awful news, very hard to comprehend it. Hit me like one of his body punches.

I was convinced Kostya would be too seasoned for him, but he proved me and everybody else wrong. He turned me into a big fan, and I followed the rest of his career.

The fact it came just a few hours after Crawford's win, the most I've enjoyed boxing in a long time, seemed to make it hit all the harder.

I know a few of you on here would have known him, and he seemed to have time for everybody. A really sad day, condolences to all who knew him.

[Master]

Shocked by this and cant believe it is true.

Ricky was preparing for an exhibition in December so thought he would have something to focus on.

Ricky was the first big PPV star who never fought on terrestrial TV. He had a huge following that only British heavyweight's like Cooper and Bruno could command.

If Frank Warren had his way he would still be defending his WBF title today but Ricky wanted to face the best.

Beating Kostya was the greatest night and was over 20 years ago! He unified titles and went up in weight to prove his world class status. He challenged the best and that is why the fans loved him.

Pls Ricky was funny and a great personality.

RIP Champ you brought us some amazing memories.