Ricky Hatton opened up on how he ‘wanted to be remembered’ just one week before his tragic death.
The former world champion boxer and British sporting legend was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday morning.
Greater Manchester Police said there were ‘not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the 46-year-old’s death.
Hatton came from a council estate in Stockport to become one of the best and most popular boxers of his generation, winning world titles in two weight divisions.
‘The Hitman’ won 42 of his 45 professional fights during a brilliant 15-year career and was world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight.
Two of Hatton’s defeats came against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, two of the greatest fighters in history.
Hatton was interviewed by former world champion Darren Barker just a week before his death and was spoke about hoe he wanted to be remembered.
Speaking to First Round TV, Hatton said: ‘I didn’t want to be the best that we’ve ever had. But I think I always dreamt of hopefully being up there, mentioned in the same bracket.
‘I didn’t want to be No. 1. As long as they can turn around and say, as they do today… Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton, Carl Froch, Frank Bruno.
‘And when they mention Ricky Hatton in amongst my heroes, I’ll never ever wake up from that.
‘And I think the way I’d like to be remembered is… I guess I was one of the best we had.
‘I do a lot of sportsman’s dinners with Frank [Bruno], and I feel very proud that they always say, “Our Frank and our Ricky.” It’s like we, not to say we were the best, but we were probably the two most loved.
‘I was man of the people, wasn’t I? I was a Jack the Lad, the kid next door, y’know? I couldn’t give two s***s, say it the way it is.
‘And I think the best thing that come out of retirement with me was the love that I had from the fans. And the love that I have from the fans still.
‘I think people remember me as one hell of a fighter, but yeah, one of the boys.’
More to follow…