Wayne Rooney has shared an emotional tribute to his pal and boxing legend Ricky Hatton following the tragic information of his loss of life at simply 46 years previous.
Hatton, a former world champion boxer, was discovered lifeless at his Manchester dwelling on September 14.
Whereas the reason for loss of life has not been revealed, police have confirmed that it isn’t being handled as suspicious.
Rooney, 39, had an in depth friendship with Hatton, having famously carried his belts into the ring forward of Hatton’s victory over Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas in 2007. Talking on The Wayne Rooney Present, he mirrored on the devastating loss.
“Ricky was such an excellent lad and an excellent individual,” mentioned Rooney. “He captured the nation’s coronary heart. The assist he had was unbelievable, and folks adopted him in all places.”
Rooney additionally expressed his condolences to Hatton’s household and pals, saying: “I wish to pay my condolences to his household and everybody who was actually near him. It’s means too quickly.”
The previous Manchester United and England striker shared that he acquired the information of Hatton’s loss of life shortly after taking part in in a legends exhibition match for Manchester United in South Korea.
“It hasn’t totally kicked in but,” Rooney added. “It’s devastating. Heartbreaking.”
“Simply devastating.”
Wayne Rooney pays tribute to his pal Ricky Hatton. pic.twitter.com/BzrKHDF7Bj
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 14, 2025
Rooney wasn’t the one footballer to pay tribute to Hatton, who throughout his glittering profession within the ring held world titles in two weight courses – light-welterweight and welterweight.
Jack Grealish, sharing his condolences on Instagram, described the boxing legend as a “true legend” and “absolute diamond” each time they met.
“Such unhappy information man,” Grealish wrote. “My ideas exit to his household and pals. RIP Hitman.”
Roy Keane, Micah Richards, and numerous others from the soccer world additionally expressed their sorrow, as did Tyson Fury from the boxing neighborhood. The heavyweight champion shared his grief on Instagram, saying, “Rip to the legend @rickyhatton could he rip. There’ll solely ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. Cannot imagine this, so younger.”
