Ricky Hatton's former coach leaves heartbreaking apology after boxer's death

Ricky Hatton' former coach Billy Graham left a devastating message after the boxer's death at the age of 46.

Hatton was found dead on Sunday morning after friends raised the alarm after he failed to show up at an event the night before. Police later confirmed they had found him and there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Tributes immediately poured in for a man who became world champion in 2005 and who was involved in some of the biggest fights in British boxing history. He was propelled into stardom with his victory over Kostya Tszyu and led thousands of his fans to Las Vegas for mega-fights with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

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He was beaten by both and his devastating knockout defeat by the latter sent Hatton into retirement and a deep depression. The boxer had a troubled personal life and was estranged from his mum and dad following a bitter row over money. And he was also taken to court by trainer Graham who claimed he had not been paid for one of his fights.

A settlement was reached and the pair were later reunited. And Graham left a bunch of flowers outside Hatton's house on Sunday with the poignant message: "Sorry I wasn't there for you".

Speaking in 2015 after a party to celebrate the anniversary of his world title victory over Tszyu, Hatton said: "The biggest thrill for me at my party was Billy Graham being there. I couldn’t stop crying when I saw him and I’m going to meet him when I come back from my holiday so we can have a proper catch-up.

“We invited him to the party but he never replied, and I thought maybe there’s just too much water under the bridge between us. Celebrating that night without Billy being there would have been eating away at me as it wouldn’t have been right to not have my trainer and best mate there."

Tributes have been flooding in from the great and good of boxing and wider sporting world. Amir Khan, another former world champion and a friend of Hatton, described him as a “mentor, warrior and one of Britain’s greatest boxers”. Khan said: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.”

Over recent years Hatton had been open about his struggles with mental health, and Khan added: “As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind.

“Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other. Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible.

"To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding. Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”

Britain’s former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury paid tribute. Alongside two pictures of him with Hatton, Fury wrote on Instagram: “Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he rip. There will only ever be 1 Ricky hatton. can’t believe this so young.”

Anthony Joshua wrote: "RIP Hitman. One of the best to do it. Our British hero”, while Chris Eubank Sr added: "Rest in Peace Mr Ricky Hatton. We salute you."

Hatton's former promoter, Frank Warren, added: "I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton. A superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before due to both his personality and the entertainment he provided in the ring.

"From making his debut Widnes in 1997 to then go on to win one of the most historic fights in British boxing history against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester, Ricky will rightly go down as one of the modern greats of this sport."