Former heavyweight champion Frank Bruno has released a touching statement for his “friend” Ricky Hatton after the beloved boxer died aged 46.
Hatton’s body was found in his home in Manchester early on Sunday morning, with Greater Manchester Police confirming the death is not being treated as suspicious.
The boxing legend had been open about his struggles with mental health and alcohol dependence and became an ambassador for The Frank Bruno Foundation, helping other people with their mental health struggles.
In an emotional statement, Bruno revealed: “Yesterday was a bit of a blur, and now I have got over the initial shock, I am happy to join the many others with my tribute to Ricky.
Frank Bruno released a touching tribute to Ricky Hatton
|GETTY
“Ricky Hatton, what can I say? He told me he grew up as a fan of mine. I went to a couple of his fights, and we used to bump into each other on the circuit.
“When he retired and opened a gym in Manchester, I went up to train with him and spar a few times.”
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Throughout Hatton’s career, he won titles in the light welterweight and welterweight divisions, sharing the ring with boxing royalty in the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Jose Luis Castillo, and Manny Pacquiao.
The shocking news of the 46-year-old’s death came just weeks before he announced he would be returning to the ring for a bout with Eisa Al Dah in Dubai this December.
Tributes have been laid outside the former champion’s home in Manchester, as the boxing community mourns the loss of one of its icons.
He continued: “He got involved with my charity and became an ambassador, and we spoke numerous times about mental health and depression, mainly when we were in dressing rooms waiting to go on stage for shows.
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Yesterday was a bit of a blur and now I have got over the initial shock I am happy to join the many others with my tribute to Ricky. Ricky Hatton what can I say? He told me he grew up as a fan of mine I went to couple of his fights and we used to bump into each other on the… pic.twitter.com/ryJTYVclZe
— Frank Bruno MBE 🇬🇧 (@frankbrunoboxer) September 15, 2025
“I would call that the quality of the one-to-one time we had. The other side of Rick, he made me laugh so many times. There were so many comparisons in our lives separated by 20 years, both business and personal. He did not take himself too seriously.
In his career, Bruno amassed 40 wins and five losses with a devastating 38 knockouts. Throughout his career, he has a 95 per cent knockout ratio. He most notably faced Mike Tyson twice, losing both times, with the second being the final match of Bruno's storied career.
After he retired due to an eye injury, he went on to form the Frank Bruno Foundation in 2017, which helps people of all ages with mental health issues find help through sports.
The 63-year-old concluded: “My life was enriched through knowing Ricky, he was great fun to be around. The crowds used to sing ‘There’s only one Ricky Hatton’, never truer words.
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“There will never be another Ricky or anyone like him, and at this time I share the shock and upset of losing what I consider to be a great fighter, a friend, and an amazing human being.”
Hatton’s family also released a statement following the discovery of the news on Sunday.
Their statement read: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard,
“Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many.
Ricky Hatton had spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and mental health and worked with Frank Bruno
| GETTY“He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
“To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.
“He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport.”
The team at Ricky Hatton’s Hyde gym also paid tributes to their local star, who touched the lives of millions around the world.”