Boxer Ricky Hatton stands by the pitch before Manchester City’s English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday Sept. 22, 2013.聽
Ricky Hatton remembered by his family as a boxer who ‘inspired generations’
MANCHESTER, England (AP) 鈥 Ricky Hatton will be remembered as a fighter who 鈥渋nspired generations鈥 and had 鈥渁 heart as big as his smile,鈥 his family said Monday following the death of the British boxing great at the age of 46.
Boxer Ricky Hatton stands by the pitch before Manchester City’s English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday Sept. 22, 2013.聽
MANCHESTER, England (AP) 鈥 Ricky Hatton will be remembered as a fighter who 鈥渋nspired generations鈥 and had 鈥渁 heart as big as his smile,鈥 his family said Monday following the death of the British boxing great at the age of 46.
Hatton, who won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, was found dead when police officers attended his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday. Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious.
Hatton鈥檚 family paid tribute to him in a statement released by Greater Manchester Police on Monday, in which they said he was “so much more than a world champion.鈥
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鈥淭o us he was simply 鈥楻ichard,鈥 our son,鈥 the family said. 鈥淎 loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many.
鈥淗e had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humor and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.鈥
At the height of his career, Hatton 鈥 known for his spirit and brutal body punches in the ring 鈥 was one of the most famous sports stars in Britain and fought the best boxers of his generation, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
The family said Hatton 鈥済ave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.鈥
鈥淗e inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport,鈥 the statement continued. 鈥淏ut beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.
“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.鈥
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The family asked for privacy following the death but said they 鈥渨ill take strength from one another and from the knowledge that Richard鈥檚 legacy 鈥 both in boxing and as a man 鈥 will continue to live on.鈥
Hatton tributes
Tributes 鈥 including flowers and replica shirts of Hatton鈥檚 favorite soccer team, 鈥 were laid outside Hatton鈥檚 home on Monday.
Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, said thought was being given to how the city could best honor his memory.
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