The sudden death of Ricky Hatton hit fans hard, but no one is louder than his longtime manager and partner Paul speaks. Nearly three decades together – belts, lights in Vegas, drinking stories, comebacks, collapse – and talk the one who walked into that house and found him.
The day all fell quiet
Talk was meant to drive Ricky to the airport for a flight to Dubai. Instead, he walks in silence.
“The lights were not on, which in my opinion was strange. I thought he had jumped over, but it’s not uncommon. People do sleep over, ‘Speak said Boxing News Online.
“So I came in – I have a key – scream: ‘Rick, Rick, wake up! “I heard music coming from above, so I went upstairs … I looked at him … I had to take time to process it. ‘
Then came the moment no one faced.
“I was in a state of shock and confusion and loss and many more emotions. Then I called the police and the ambulance. ‘
“Ricky had plans, not an exit”
Talking is clear about one thing – it wasn’t a man who wanted to watch.
“I firmly believe that he had no intention of doing so. It is for the forerunner to determine, but he has everything to live for. ‘
Ricky piled up plans.
“He arranged to see his daughters Oasis next week. He was planning to go to Thailand for the WBC event and a holiday after his fight. He has just booked a flight to Tenderife for Christmas.
His daughters had never seen him, so he was excited for it. So many things for him to live – he was in a very good place. ‘
It wasn’t the broken ricky of a decade back. It was a man who tried to live again.
Cleaning the garbage and setting the record straight
Paul had enough of the gossip.
“I want to take out the truth, otherwise people will just speculate. A lot of garbage was written about Ricky and his parents, but he saw his mother just last week; gave her a great hug and a little love. He’s going to see his father after returning from Dubai. ‘
And he saw the darkest days before.
“If it was ten years ago, it wouldn’t have been as big a shock as it was. I was at Ricky to the highest mountains in boxing to the lowest gorge in life. ‘
Ricky Hatton – one of us, always
Ricky was not a polished superstar. He was the bar of Manchester who hit his way to the top. He gave us Kostya Tszyu, Vegas evenings against Mayweather and Pacquiao, and an army of fans who sing “Blue Moon” harder than any arena has ever heard.
He also gave us honesty about the accident that follows fame: depression, loneliness, addiction. He didn’t hide it. He talked it. And that’s why fans liked him – he was really. Flawed. Tough. One of our own, and He will always be.
Ricky Hatton’s career highlights
-
IBF Light Welterweight Champion (2005–2006) – Kostya Tszyu in Manchester famously stopped.
-
WBA Light Welterweight Champion (2006–2009) – Defend his crown before massive British crowds.
-
WBA Welterweight Champion (2006) – Luis Collazo.
-
Shared the ring with legends – Floyd Mayweather jr. (2007) and Manny Pacquiao (2009).
-
Beloved by fans – Thousands followed him to Las Vegas; No one brought noise like Hatton’s believers.
The last greeting
Ricky Hatton wasn’t perfect – and that’s exactly why he meant so much. He was ours. A fighter who could beat a man cold on Saturday night and still ended up in the Boozer on Sunday morning laughing with the boys.
So if the glasses go up and the songs start, send him some of the only way that fits:
“There’s only one Ricky Hatton … one Ricky Hatton … walk along, sing a song, walk in a Hatton Wonderland.”
Last updated on 09/25/2025
