Boxing promoter Kellie Maloney has paid a heartfelt tribute to Ricky Hatton, describing him as “one of the genuine ones” following the tragic news of his death at just 46.
Ricky’s body was discovered at his Manchester home on Sunday morning, with police confirming that his passing is not being treated as suspicious.
Kellie, who promoted Hatton’s 2008 fight against Juan Lazcano at the Etihad Stadium, recalled how proud Ricky had been to finally step into the ring at his beloved football ground. She admitted, however, that she sensed something had changed in him. “He won the fight, but he wasn’t the Ricky of time past. I could tell there was something different. It’s really sad that he was such a great icon to the British boxing community and to the British public, yet when he needed help, there didn’t seem to be anyone there to help him,” she told the Mirror.
Kellie, famed for managing Lennox Lewis, also revealed the kindness Ricky showed her during one of the most personal moments of her own life. After undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2014, Ricky was one of the few from the boxing world who reached out. “He sent me a lovely message when my story broke, and I always had a lot of respect for him. Ricky was always one of the genuine ones.”
Reflecting on his complex family ties, Kellie recalled spending time with Ricky and his father Ray before fights. Despite the well-documented rows over money and a turbulent estrangement in 2009, she said his family will be crushed by his loss. “This will be devastating for his family, even though they argued over the years. Like all families, they had their ups and downs, but they were really close at times as well. It’s a big loss for the boxing world – he’s gone, but he’ll never be forgotten.”
Tributes have continued to pour in for the former world champion, who battled mental health struggles and addictions but remained one of Britain’s most beloved fighters both in and out of the ring.
