Manchester City star Phil Foden dedicates EPL goal to Ricky Hatton as Manny Pacquiao, Tyson Fury pay tribute

An English Premier League star has dedicated his Manchester derby goal to late boxer Ricky Hatton as footage emerged of the former world champion going through his paces in the gym days before he was found dead in his home.

Manchester Police said there are no suspicious circumstances regarding the death of the 46-year-old, who won world titles as a light-welterweight and welterweight, and whose all-action style made him one of the most popular fighters in the first decade of the new century.

The boxing world joined England in mourning the loss of the charismatic athlete – known as the Hitman – who fought Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

WATCH HATTON’S FINAL VIDEO BELOW

His defeat of Tszyu in 2005 for the light-welterweight title was a career highlight, but two years later he found it hard to bounce back from a loss to Mayweather Jr. In 2009 he lost to Pacquiao, after which he retired before making a comeback in 2012.

“He was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life,” Pacquiao posted on X.

“Ricky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey.”

Hatton was the holder of four world titles and was awarded an MBE after his 15-year career finished in 2012.

He announced in July that he would make a return to boxing in December in a professional bout against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai.

Hatton posted a video of himself dancing around a punching bag, ducking and weaving as he did in his heyday. The video was cpationed: “Thursday session in the bag”.

Manchester City star Phil Foden said the goal in City’s 3–0 win over Manchester United was for the lifelong City fan.

“I had extra motivation going into the game, it was for him and his family and for the people suffering right now,” Foden said.

“The lads gave everything. It wasn’t a pretty match but it was all for him.”

There was a minute’s silence for Hatton before the game and both teams wore black armbands.

“Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters, who will always be remembered for a glittering boxing career,” City posted.

Hatton’s down-to-earth demeanour also endeared him to fans across the world, and he was open about the mental health issues he endured on his retirement from the ring.

He overcame a fall-out with his family and a court case with his former trainer Billy Graham to become a successful trainer, coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.

Hatton grew up on a council estate and battled addiction issues post-boxing.

He spoke recently about returning to the ring:

“The party can’t last forever,” he told The Sun. “Sooner or later, you’ve got to slow down. And I think I’ve reached that stage.

“But I’m in such a good place mentally, from where I was a few years back, and physically.

“I haven’t got a six-pack these days, but, you know, Ricky Hatton’s belly’s gone.

“So things are all good and it’s nice from how bad it was to what it is now.”

British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury posted: “There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton.”