Ricky Hatton’s ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney has paid tribute to the former boxer after he was found dead on Sunday morning.
Tributes have poured in for Hatton, 46, who had a decorated career in the sport.
His body was found at his home in Hyde and police are not treating the death as suspicious.
Sweeney, who met Hatton on ITV’s Dancing on Ice last year, wrote on Instagram: “I’ve needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky.
“My thoughts are with his family especially his children Campbell, Millie, Fearne and Lyla, his granddaughter.
“To them, Speaky (Paul Speak) and to all his friends who loved him so deeply and for so many years I send you my deepest sympathy. Ricky, you were the people’s champ.
“We adored and cherished you. Love you always.”
The death of the popular boxer has rocked the boxing community and tributes have been flooding in since his death.
Hatton had announced he was coming out of retirement for an exhibition bout on 2 December, in Dubai, at the Eisa Al Dah.
This would have marked 13 years since his last professional contest.
Hatton, from Manchester, enjoyed a glittering career at the height of the sport and was admired for his aggressive, exciting style.
He won multiple world championships at light-welterweight, and one at welterweight.
Sky News sport correspondent Rob Harris called Hatton “one of the great personalities of British boxing.”
He said: “As he would travel around the world, winning fights, he would bring that huge fan base with him… To have the career he had, with 45 victories and three defeats, was impressive…
“This will be devastating to many boxing fans and particularly his family, given it was just weeks before he was due to make his comeback… So many people will be reflecting on just what a contribution and what an icon he was to British boxing and just how he could seem so ordinary as well, while still achieving great sporting heights”.
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