"Brave and kind man": Manny Pacquiao pays tribute to Ricky Hatton following his untimely death at 46

Hall of Fame fighter Manny Pacquiao paid tribute to his defeated rival, Ricky Hatton, following the news of Hatton's death at the age of 46. Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino icon who faced Hatton in a major fight in 2009, reflected on him being a "tough and nice gentleman" with an influence that "goes beyond boxing".“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ricky Hatton. He was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life. We shared unforgettable moments in boxing history and I will always honor the respect and sportsmanship he showed,” Pacquiao said in an emotional statement.“Ricky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey. My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the Hatton family and all his loved ones. May the Lord give you strength and comfort in this difficult time. May he rest in peace,” he added.Ricky Hatton was a world champion boxer at both light-welterweight and welterweight and one of the most treasured names in Britain, nicknamed 'The Hitman'. He amassed a huge following, particularly in his home city of Manchester, with his attacking, fans' favourite style.Hatton became a household name in his most memorable fight against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas in May 2009, when he was knocked out in the second round. Even in defeat, Hatton's guts and magnetism had made a permanent impression on fight fans around the World. However, away from his boxing exploits, Hatton was also a popular and outspoken mental health advocate, bravely sharing his battle with both depression and substance abuse in an effort to eradicate the stigma around mental health within sport.Also Read: Ricky Hatton net worth 2025: Inside the British boxing legend’s fight purses, promotions and fortuneRicky Hatton had an early demise that left people mourning and remembering him across boxing and outside. Other British fighters, including Amir Khan and Tyson Fury, also expressed their sadness and described Hatton as a warrior and a gentleman. Hatton was also praised by his old promoter Frank Warren, who said the Mancunian was an inspiration for a generation of British fighters.Tributes from local fans and Manchester City, the club Hatton was a passionate fan of, flooded in from Manchester. To many fans, he was not just a boxing great, but an example of what perseverance and being an everyday person can be.His words rang true for millions of fight fans around the world. Ricky Hatton was a warrior in the ring, but a loving and generous man whose legacy will live on, said Manny Pacquiao.