Ben Shephard struggled to carry again his tears as he paid tribute to boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who was discovered lifeless at his dwelling in Hyde, Better Manchester, on Saturday
This Morning host Ben Shephard fought again tears throughout Monday’s present as he paid a heartfelt tribute to boxing ‘hero’ Ricky Hatton.
The emotional second got here after Better Manchester Police confirmed on Sunday that the previous world champion had been discovered lifeless at his dwelling in Hyde, Better Manchester on the age of 46.
Officers said there have been no suspicious circumstances surrounding his demise.
Ricky’s devastated household have since described feeling an “immeasurable” sense of loss however mentioned they’ve been “deeply moved” by the overwhelming help and love proven in direction of him.
Talking concerning the tragic information on Monday’s This Morning, Ben, 50, visibly struggled together with his feelings as he remembered Ricky, with whom he had labored carefully through the years, stories the Mirror.
Ben mentioned: “I believe one of many issues that strikes me concerning the story we will begin with, which is a really emotional story for many individuals, notably his family and friends, is the tragic information that British sporting icon and former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton has sadly died on the age of 46.
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to spend a while with Ricky through the years. I had a Sport Reduction bout again in 2008 towards Lemar, Ricky was my mentor, my coach, he had been a hero of mine for years.
“I really like my boxing and nobody fought like Ricky Hatton fought, like an absolute lion. He was so humble and wore his coronary heart on his sleeve.
“To go to his gymnasium, and practice with him and meet his staff, he was simply so beneficiant together with his time and his humour and his power. He was so right down to earth.
“I have been in a position to spend a while with him through the years with Soccer Support and I’ve interviewed him numerous occasions. He was all the time such a superb particular person to be round, to assume that he is now not with us… is totally heartbreaking.”
Ben needed to collect himself as he took a deep breath earlier than including: “He did not care who you have been, he simply wished to spend time and beloved being round individuals.”
On Monday, Ricky’s household launched a press release by Better Manchester Police. “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard,” the assertion started.
“Richard was a lot greater than a world champion. To us he was merely ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a real buddy to many.
“He had a coronary heart as huge as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everybody who was fortunate sufficient to know him.
“To the broader world, Richard will all the time be remembered as one in all boxing’s biggest champions – a person who gave all the things contained in the ring and wore his coronary heart on his sleeve exterior of it.”
The Hatton household concluded their assertion by saying: “He impressed generations together with his preventing spirit, his humility, and his love for the game.
“However past the titles, the nights to recollect, and the roar of the gang, he remained the identical down-to-earth Richard who by no means forgot the place he got here from.
“As a household, our loss is immeasurable, and phrases can not really seize the ache we really feel. But within the midst of our grief, now we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of affection and help.
“It has been a supply of nice consolation to see simply what number of lives Richard touched, and the way broadly he was admired and revered.
“Right now, we kindly ask for privateness as we come to phrases with life with out him. Within the days and weeks forward, we’ll take energy from each other and from the data that Richard’s legacy – each in boxing and as a person – will proceed to dwell on.
“Richard’s reminiscence will eternally stay in our hearts, within the hearts of his followers, and within the sport he beloved so dearly.”
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