Paul Speak, the manager of Ricky Hatton, expressed his deep sense of surprise and bewilderment upon discovering the lifeless body of the former world champion boxer. Paul, who had been associated with Ricky for almost thirty years, came across his deceased friend at his residence in Greater Manchester earlier this month.
In an interview with Boxing News magazine, Paul recounted the mix of emotions he experienced upon encountering the grim scene. He had visited Ricky’s home to escort him to the airport for a Dubai-bound flight when he noticed the absence of lights, which struck him as unusual. Upon entering the house and calling out to Ricky, he found him unresponsive. Paul then contacted emergency services after processing the distressing situation.
Emphasizing his belief that Ricky had no intention of taking his own life, Paul described Ricky as being in a positive mindset before his untimely passing at the age of 46, actively making plans for the future. These plans included taking his daughters to an Oasis concert, attending the WBC convention in Thailand, and booking a Christmas trip to Tenerife.
Paul addressed speculations surrounding Ricky’s personal life, asserting that there were misconceptions, particularly regarding his parents. He clarified that Ricky had recently met his mother and had plans to reunite with his father after his trip to Dubai. The manager highlighted Ricky’s excitement for his daughters to witness his boxing matches and stated that Ricky was content with his life before his demise.
The tragic news of Ricky’s death reverberated globally, with tributes pouring in from celebrities and friends. Kerry Katona, a close acquaintance, expressed her remorse for declining Ricky’s invitation to meet up in Ibiza, indicating that his passing deeply affected her. She shared her sentiments in her column, reflecting on the missed opportunity to spend time with Ricky.
For individuals struggling with mental health, support is available through the Mind mental health charity, where trained advisors can be reached via phone or email.