As the boxing world grieves the loss of sporting icon Ricky Hatton, his friend has shared one telltale sign that something was wrong just hours before the boxer was found

The boxing world has been rocked by the death of Ricky Hatton, and now one devastated friend has revealed the moment those close to him realised something was wrong.

Known as “the People’s Champion,” Manchester-born Ricky enjoyed a stellar career in the ring and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year.

‘The Hitman’ earned welterweight and light welterweight world champion awards during his heyday, and, following his retirement in 2012, he went on to inspire and train rising stars in the field, with the likes of Tyson Fury and David Haye honing their craft at his Hatton Health and Fitness Gym in Hyde.

Just 46 when he died, the father of three had been looking ahead to another exciting chapter when tragedy struck. This coming December, he’d been scheduled to return to the ring in what would be his first bout in 13 years, where he would have gone head-to-head with Dubai’s first professional boxer, Eisa Al Dah.

Ricky Hatton has tragically died aged 46(Image: Mark Robinson)

Speaking proudly about training for the upcoming fight just last month, Ricky, who would have turned 47 in October, said: “It inspired a lot of people, you know, for me to get in shape again at the age I’m at.

“Especially bearing in mind all my problems I’ve had personally with mental health and stuff like that. It was nice for so many people to come up to me and go, ‘Oh, I’ve always struggled with my weight, and to see you get it off at your age.’

“I’ve always struggled with my mental health, and I’ve had my problems. And to see where you were a few years ago to what you’re doing now, it’s inspirational.”

Sadly, fans who had applauded Ricky’s impressive fitness journey never had the chance to see what would have undoubtedly been an exciting return.

Greater Manchester Police yesterday confirmed that a body had been found at Ricky’s address and that the death was not being treated as suspicious.

BBC boxing pundit and friend Steve Bunce reacted with audible emotion to the death of Ricky Hatton on Radio 5 Live, mere moments after the news broke.

The night before Ricky’s body was found, there was a sign that something was wrong(Image: Getty Images)

While on-air, presenter Steve Crossman checked multiple times whether Bunce was OK to continue, while Bunce revealed that Ricky had failed to show up to a fight the night before, sparking concern.

Bunce shared: “It’s an unbelievably shocking piece of news because he was in a really good place. He’s had some troubles, Rick. I mean, he’s talked about his mental health problems, he’s talked about his addictions; he’s addressed them, faced them, attacked them and solved them.

“He was preparing for an exhibition fight; like it is for so many fighters, the gym’s been his salvation. He was getting his body and his head in a better place.

“Apparently, talking to people, he didn’t show up on Friday at the gym, and he was meant to be at a fight last night, and he didn’t show up, and someone went to his house this morning… It is shocking news.”

It comes as Ricky’s family release a touching tribute to the former world champ, who “had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.”