Devastated Adam Smith pays emotional tribute to Ricky Hatton, saying ‘they don’t make them like Ricky anymore’

Boxing commentator Adam Smith has mourned the death of Ricky Hatton as a “devastating day” and paid an emotional tribute to the British fight legend.

Nicknamed 'the Hitman', Hatton won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight and was one of the UK’s most popular fighters.

His body was found at his home in Manchester on Sunday and Smith admitted he was struggling to come to terms with the 46-year-old’s loss.

Smith had been close to Hatton since the Mancunian fighter turned professional and said he seemed in good spirits when he last spoke to him a few weeks ago.

Hatton struggled with depression and addiction following his last professional fight in 2012.

In an exclusive, moving interview with DAZN, Smith said: “I’ve got so many stories and tales of Ricky, and memories, and it's a devastating day.

“He well publicised his struggles with mental health, depression and addiction and the difficulties that he that he had after his career particularly.

“And coming to terms with the defeats to both Floyd Mayweather and especially Manny Pacquiao.

“But I saw him a few weeks back and he seemed in a much better place.

“I heard Steve Bunce saying earlier today that he had exactly the same sort of conversations with him recently.

“He seemed good and was looking forward to an exhibition in December.

“He was training in the gym and that meant everything to him.

“He obviously difficult times with his son Campbell and the losses that he had recently too and decided to sort of walk away from boxing.

“I just thought Ricky was in a good place and it’s just crushing news today – the Smith household is in mourning.”

Smith became acquainted with the Hatton family in the late 1990s through his work as a boxing reporter for Sky and saw at first-hand how the Hitman’s profile steadily grew.

He became a much-loved fighter throughout the UK and beyond – and Smith recalled: “Ricky was built on Sky.

“I remember being in Widnes for his professional debut and it just snowballed.

“He had a following anyway in Hyde, because he was such a nice guy and such a down to earth bloke.

“He had an old banger right at the beginning of his career and he took me for a drive.

“I remember him saying, ‘I don't ever want to lose touch with the people. I always want to keep my feet on the ground and however far I go, I believe I'm going to become a world champion in this sport, but I never want to change who I am.’

“I remember when he beat Kostya Tszyu, on the greatest night he had, I think, in Manchester, the cathedral that was his home – the MEN Arena – that he'd made his.

“It had grown to I think 22,000 people had got there that night.

“It was the early hours of June 5th, 2005, it was the week before I got married and it was an incredible night, his best night.

“And I remember him saying to me afterwards that he, he just, he would give the belt back if it meant that he couldn't be part of the, the community, part of his people.

“He wanted to be the boy next door and he was, he was funny, naturally witty, he was a great raconteur and after dinner speaker after he retired.

“But he was always like that, he was always cracking jokes, he was a mad Only Fools and Horses fan and he loved a pint down the pub.

“That's why I think everybody sort of flocked to him and the story grew because he was accessible.

“He was real, he had no airs and graces, and he used to go to the butty box on the day of his fight and have a big fried breakfast.

“He was old school, I guess, and maybe they just don't quite make them like Ricky anymore.”

Hatton was a huge Manchester City supporter and Smith said he united his home city with his exploits in the ring.

Tributes were paid to Hatton during today’s Manchester derby between City and United at Etihad Stadium.

Smith explained: “He also had a football team which, which he was massively attached to, and Manchester City weren't doing so well in those days.

“They weren't the team they are now and I think that he also got the United fans on side as well.

“I remember Rio Ferdinand bringing his belts in, he had Oasis in the ring with him, Noel and Liam, and he just united Manchester.

“He united the country as well and I think that's why so many people loved him and why he took forty-odd thousand to Vegas for the Mayweather fight.

“You know, they drunk the place dry, the fans and I think it's because he'd had a pint with most of them.

“From a personal point of view, my wife and my mum used to sit with the Hatton family in the crowds.  It was a really special time.”

Hatton won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across an esteemed 15-year career - and Smith added: “He had an unbelievable record – 45 wins in 48 fights – and was a seriously good fighter, but he was more than that. He was a seriously good person.”