Ricky Hatton‘s son has posted a heartbreaking message to his late father on what would have been his 47th birthday.
The Hitman, one of the country’s most idolised boxers, was sadly found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester early last month.
His passing left the world of sport in mourning, with stars such as Eddie Hearn, Conor Benn, Noel Gallagher and David Haye all paying tribute to a man described as ‘an incredible person’.
Hatton is survived by his three children, Campbell, 24, Millie, 13, and Fearne, 12, who have been left ‘hit for six’ and ‘heartbroken’ by their father’s death, the eldest sibling revealed in an interview last week.
Campbell, described as the former world champion’s ‘mini me’, added: ‘It was so unexpected.
‘We had so many plans coming up so it has knocked us for six, but obviously we are trying to be there for each other.’
Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell has posted a heartbreaking message to his father on what would have been his 47th birthday
The Hitman was sadly found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, early last month
Manchester City, the boxer’s favourite club, paid tribute to him at the Etihad on September 27
And on what would have been his father’s 47th birthday on Monday, Campbell took to Instagram to post a tear-jerking and heartfelt message to him.
Sharing a photo of the pair sharing a hug, the 24-year-old wrote: ‘Happy birthday (blue heart emoji). Wish we was spending it together x’
‘The people’s champion’ Hatton had been candid about his struggles with addiction and mental health in the years before his death.
The Mancunian admitted that he contemplated taking his own life on a number of occasions, but ‘thanked himself’ that he didn’t do so.
But Hatton was supposedly still struggling with insecurities in the days before his passing, it’s been revealed this week.
Former cruiserweight boxer and friend of the Hitman Jonny Nelson told Boxing King Media this week that the 46-year-old ‘couldn’t see’ how loved he was by boxing and sports fans in general.
‘Can you imagine how lonely he was in his head?’, Nelson said, ‘His mental state, he spoke about it often and I gather he was in good spirits. I gather from what people saw before this was discovered, it was positive.
‘But I just think, Ricky, if he could look down now and see all the love, the outpour of love from around the world for him then he’d believe that he wasn’t a failure and he didn’t let people down – that he wasn’t a laughing stock.
Taking to Instagram, Campbell wrote: ‘Happy birthday, wish we was spending it together x’
The 24-year-old shed a tear as his father was remembered at the Etihad Stadium
‘In his head he thought he was. Off-camera he’d say, “do you think they’re p****d off with me?” He couldn’t see the love and maybe that was a facade, the smile and the jovial Ricky that we saw out and about – that was a mask.
‘The facade that everyone’s fallen in love with, he’s thinking, “you don’t really know me, this is me at home when the doors are shut.”‘
Hatton had much to look forward to at the time of his tragic passing.
He’d arranged to take his daughters to see Oasis play at Wembley in September, was planning a Christmas holiday to Tenerife and also an incredible return to the boxing ring.
The Manchester City fan was tragically due to board a flight to Dubai just a day after he died to sign a contract confirming a bout against Eisa Al Dah later this year.
However alarms were raised after the 46-year-old failed to show at a boxing event for one of his own fighters the night before his passing. Hatton’s manager Paul Speak went to check on him the following morning, which is when the boxer’s lifeless body wad discovered.
Speaking about the horrifying moment, Speak told Boxing News Magazine: ‘The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange. I thought he’d overslept, but it’s not unusual. People do oversleep.
Former boxer and friend of Hatton Johnny Nelson revealed the Mancunian was battling insecurities before he died
The 46-year-old was found dead at his home by his manager Paul Speak
‘I heard music coming from upstairs, so I went upstairs… I took a look at him… I had to take some time to process it.
‘I was in a state of shock and confusion and loss and many more emotions. Then I called the police and the ambulance.
‘But I firmly believe he didn’t intend to do it. It’s for the coroner to determine, but he had it all to live for.
‘If this was 10 years ago, it wouldn’t have been as big a shock as it was.
‘I’ve been with Ricky to the very highest mountains in boxing to the lowest chasm in life.’
Hatton’s official cause of death is yet to be determined.