‘Even as a kid, Hatton was knocking everyone out’

A former boxer who grew up training with Ricky Hatton, who has died at the age of 46, says that “even as a 12, 13, 14-year-old, he was knocking everyone out”.

Thomas McDonagh said he had looked up to the former world champion since they were children training at gyms in Greater Manchester.

“I’d known Ricky since I was about 10 or 11. As a kid he was an unbelievable fighter, he was a superstar.”

McDonagh, who helps run Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Club, said Hatton was a “Manchester legend” who had helped fundraise for the venue in recent years and “came to all our amateur boxing shows.”

“He came to the gym all the time, he’d just got time for everyone, he came over and sat down and talked to them,” Mr McDonagh told BBC Radio Manchester.

“He was down to earth and didn’t change a tiny bit.”

Hatton was found dead at his home at the age of 46, Greater Manchester Police said.

Mr McDonagh said: “We heard through friends a little bit before it went out on social, all of us at the club are very, very upset about it, he was a great fella.”

He said: “Even as a 13/14 year-old he was knocking everyone out, he was such a superstar.

“So yeah it’s quite hard to take, it’s a shock, he was such an influential person.”

Former boxer and broadcaster Stacey Copeland told BBC Radio Manchester she last saw Hatton when they were training at a gym on Thursday.

“He had a bit of a niggling elbow injury and he was talking to Blaine, who was my coach and who was coaching him for his comeback fight in Dubai, and they were just talking about how his elbow was a bit sore.

“He was meant to go out and sign the contract this week so to say it was an enormous shock is an understatement.”

Copeland described him as “always approachable – he always felt like one of us, he was an idol for many youngsters”.

“Kids of all ages or even adults would be getting in the gym a week after watching him and trying to replicate what Ricky Hatton was doing.

“Belts, championships, they’re all important but the impact he had on people, the way he inspired them and the passionate following he had – that’s what mattered to him.

“He took tens of thousands of [fans] to Vegas – there’s very, very few people ever managed to do that. It’s incredible the following he had.”

She said the impact of his death would be “absolutely humongous throughout the boxing community”.

“We are a tight-knit community, he was one of us and we have lost one of our own.”

Local restaurant owner Mizanur Rahman, who was among those paying tribute outside the boxer’s home, said he had served Hatton a number of times and described him as “a great personality”.

“He was such a wonderful person and he inspired the whole country, not just the community.

“He was a fantastic person – very, very chatty – and it’s a great loss.”

Jo Ashcroft, who was also among those gathering in Hyde, said: “I wanted to pay my respects because I like boxing – it’s one of the sports that I really like and Ricky was the best.

“I believe he’s left a legacy of encouraging children to get into a sport rather than being on the streets.”