Boxing
Oasis star Liam Gallagher posts tribute to Ricky Hatton: 'It was an absolute honour to know him'
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Global superstar and Oasis lead singer, Liam Gallagher, has joined in the emotional tributes to British boxing legend Ricky Hatton following his death aged 46.
Hatton was found dead in his home on Sunday, only a few months away from his highly anticipated comeback fight in Dubai in December.
Liam and his brother Noel were friends with Hatton, and Liam posted to X honouring the former two-division world champion.
The post read: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Ricky Hatton, it was an absolute honour to know him and carry his belts, RIP champ – live forever.”
The famous Oasis duo carried Hatton’s world championship belts to the ring for his title defence against Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas in 2008.
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With his fellow Mancunians behind him, Hatton went on to stop the American in the 11th round – successfully defending his IBO and Ring super lightweight titles.
The Gallaghers and Hatton shared a bond beyond their birthplace and boxing; they were also Manchester City fans, and Hatton, in his previous fight, had the honour of fighting at the stadium of his boyhood club in front of 55,000 adoring fans against Juan Lazcano – who he beat on points.
Hatton said that he had made all his childhood dreams come true in becoming a world champion and friends with the Oasis frontmen.
In an interview with Vegas Insider in January, Hatton explained: “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a boxing world champion, support Manchester City and listen to Oasis.
“But I became a four-time world champion in two weight classes, ended up boxing at the Etihad Stadium in front of 55,000 people and became mates with Noel and Liam Gallagher over the years.
“I’ve had bigger wins, no disrespect to Paulie, but the performance and the occasion with Noel and Liam carrying the belt was one of the highlights in my career."
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