Phil Taylor has spoken of his heartbreak following the sudden death of Ricky Hatton, paying tribute to his close friend and describing the loss as “gutting”.
The 16-time world darts champion revealed he is still coming to terms with the news that the Manchester boxing legend passed away earlier this month at the age of 46.
Taylor also said Hatton’s father, Ray, is “heartbroken” and struggling to process the loss.
“I’m gutted. Gutted,” Taylor said, per The Sun.
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“Ray texted me the other night when I was in the hotel because he hadn’t been on his phone for a few days.
“I understand that. It’s breaking his heart. I should go see him next week.
“He only lives round the corner from where Ricky used to live. I’m absolutely devastated to be honest.”
Hatton, nicknamed “The Hitman”, was one of British boxing’s most beloved figures, fighting 48 times between 1997 and 2012, and winning world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight.
Phil Taylor has spoken of his heartbreak following the sudden death of Ricky Hatton, paying tribute to his close friend and describing the loss as “gutting”
|PA
Known for his fearless, come-forward style and huge fan following, Hatton headlined blockbuster bouts against Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Paulie Malignaggi, becoming a hero to Manchester and beyond.
Taylor, a lifelong boxing fan, shared fond memories of Hatton’s mischievous personality.
“Richard was just normal for me,” he added.
“Some people say he could be a bit shirty when he’d had a drink.
Phil Taylor will visit Ricky Hatton's father in the coming days
|PA
“I never saw it. He was always normal with me — happy-go-lucky.
“If I did interviews with him in Billy Graham’s gym, he’d be squirting the water bottle down the back of my neck or giving me a rib tickler.
“He was good fun. Nice company to be with.”
While work commitments meant Taylor missed Hatton’s Las Vegas superfights, he was ringside for some of his biggest domestic nights, including the 2005 classic against Kostya Tszyu at Manchester’s MEN Arena, where Hatton produced the performance of his career to claim the IBF light-welterweight title.
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Taylor recalled Hatton’s dedication to training camp.
“Once Ricky got a time and date for a fight, he was like a monk. He was so disciplined,” he said.
“When he lived with his mum and dad, they had the pub close by, and there was a McDonald’s at the top of the road.
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The boxing world continues to mourn the death of Ricky Hatton | GETTY“He’d run extra miles, then get on the scales and tell his dad he’d dropped two pounds.
“His dad would say, ‘Right, you can have some milk in your coffee!’ That was his treat.”
Taylor even sparred with Hatton and experienced the boxer’s skill first-hand.
“He was very clever with his elbows, pulling you down and hitting. He was great,” he said.
In one of his favourite memories, Hatton called Taylor from Las Vegas while doing promotional work.
Tributes have poured in for Ricky Hatton after his tragic death | GETTY“He rang me up and said, ‘Phil, your name’s up in lights here at the MGM Grand for the Desert Classic!’” Taylor recalled with a laugh.
Hatton’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across sport, with Taylor’s words underlining just how much the boxer meant to those who knew him.