Noel Gallagher has paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend Ricky Hatton, recalling the time he and brother Liam carried the boxer’s belts into the ring before one of his most famous victories.
Hatton, who was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester on Sunday morning aged 46, was one of Britain’s most beloved fighters — earning the nickname “The People’s Champion” for his fearless style and down-to-earth personality.
Speaking to talkSPORT in the days after Hatton’s passing, Gallagher remembered the moment the Oasis brothers were invited to be part of Hatton’s Las Vegas fight night in 2008, when he faced Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand.
“We were up at City and he said he was fighting in Vegas and he just asked us straight out: ‘Will you carry the belts out?’” Gallagher recalled.
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“We said, ‘Yeah of course’, and of course me and our kid [Liam] got into an argument about who was going to carry what belt, which went on for about four weeks.”
The Manchester rocker described the night as unforgettable.
“It was an amazing experience, an amazing night to be in the ring. It was a great fight and he won,” Gallagher said.
“He was just one of the lads. I’ll remember him as a funny lad.
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Noel Gallagher has paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend Ricky Hatton, recalling the time he and brother Liam carried the boxer’s belts into the ring before one of his most famous victories
|GETTY
"We had a funny night out with him after that — we were all out in Vegas, him and his mates.
"The image of him as the wise-cracking lad, that was him. He always had a one-liner and he will be sorely missed because he was such a lovely, humble guy.”
Liam Gallagher also paid his respects on social media.
“Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Ricky Hatton," he wrote.
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"It was an absolute honour to know him and carry his belts. RIP CHAMP. LIVE FOREVER. LG x.”
Tributes have poured in from across sport and beyond for Hatton, who was due to fly to Dubai this week to promote a comeback exhibition fight.
His family revealed that he had been in “a good place” and “excited for the future”, with his bag already packed for the trip.
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Noel and Liam Gallagher pictured with Ricky Hatton back in 2008
|PA
Manchester City star Phil Foden made a personal visit to Hatton’s family home on Monday, arriving in his training kit alongside his partner Rebecca Cooke.
The England midfielder left behind the shirt he wore in Sunday’s Manchester derby victory over United, along with a bouquet of flowers.
A handwritten message read: “There is only 1 Ricky Hatton. Rest in peace, Phil.”
Hatton’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
Ricky Hatton was tragically found dead at his home in Manchester on Sunday | PAThe father-of-three is remembered not only as a two-weight world champion who conquered Kostya Tszyu in one of British boxing’s greatest nights, but as a proud Mancunian who stayed close to his roots and never turned down a photograph or autograph for fans.
His funeral and memorial details are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.