Wayne Rooney has shared an emotional tribute to his pal and boxing legend Ricky Hatton following the tragic information of his demise 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 demise has not been revealed, police have confirmed that it isn’t being handled as suspicious.
Rooney, 39, had a detailed 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 a superb lad and a superb particular person,” mentioned Rooney. “He captured the nation’s coronary heart. The help he had was unbelievable, and folks adopted him in all places.”
Rooney additionally expressed his condolences to Hatton’s household and buddies, saying: “I wish to pay my condolences to his household and everybody who was actually near him. It’s manner too quickly.”
The previous Manchester United and England striker shared that he obtained the information of Hatton’s demise shortly after taking part in in a legends exhibition match for Manchester United in South Korea.
“It hasn’t absolutely 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 buddies. 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.”
READ THE LATEST FASHION, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE CONTENT FROM 90MIN
