Ricky Hatton's heartbroken friend sensed trouble before tragic news of his death

Ricky Hatton's absence at a boxing match just before his tragic death had raised concerns among one of his friends. The sudden passing of the Manchester-born icon, who was found dead at his Hyde home last month, sent shockwaves through the sporting world.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the discovery of Hatton at his residence and stated that the death was not being treated as suspicious. Today, Hatton, who was 46 at the time of his death, will be laid to rest, just four days after what would have been his 47th birthday. His untimely death occurred just three months before he was due to make a comeback to professional boxing after a 13-year hiatus. Hatton was slated to face off against Dubai's first professional boxer, Eisa Al Dah, in December.

The news of Hatton's passing sparked a global outpouring of tributes, with his friend and renowned boxing pundit Steve Bunce reacting to the devastating news on Radio 5 Live. Presenter Steve Crossman ensured Bunce was emotionally prepared to continue the discussion moments after the news was confirmed.

It was during this conversation that Bunce disclosed Hatton, who had publicly battled depression and addiction, had failed to attend a boxing match the night before his death was announced. Bunce said: "It's an unbelievably shocking piece of news because he was in a really good place.

"He's had some troubles, Rick. I mean, he's talked about his mental health problems, he's talked about his addictions; he's addressed them, faced them, attacked them and solved them. He was preparing for an exhibition fight; like it is for so many fighters, the gym's been his salvation.

"He was getting his body and his head in a better place. Apparently, talking to people, he didn't show up on Friday at the gym, and he was meant to be at a fight last night and he didn't show up, and someone went to his house this morning... It is shocking news."

It was just last year that Hatton, dubbed 'the People's champion', was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Across a professional boxing career spanning 15 years, Hatton claimed world titles in two weight classes. Securing championship belts in both the welterweight and light welterweight categories, his finest moment arrived in 2005 when he outpointed Kosta Tszyu to capture the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight crowns.

He stepped through the ropes to take on the likes of legends including Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao, initially hanging up his gloves following his defeat to the Filipino icon in 2009.

Nevertheless, 'The Hitman' made a comeback to the squared circle in 2012 to face Vyacheslav Senchenko before calling time on his career permanently after falling to the Ukrainian fighter. Hatton opened up about his training for his comeback in August, expressing his pride that his openness about his personal struggles has served as an inspiration to others.

Hatton shared: "It inspired a lot of people, you know, for me to get in shape again at the age I'm at. Especially bearing in mind all my problems I've had personally with mental health and stuff like that. It was nice for so many people to come up to me and go, 'Oh, I've always struggled with my weight, and to see you get it off at your age.'

"I've always struggled with my mental health, and I've had my problems. And to see where you were a few years ago to what you're doing now, it's inspirational."