Phil Taylor on the death of Ricky Hatton: I am devastated, we were close friends.

According to The Sun: Phil Taylor expressed sorrow over the death of his close friend Ricky Hatton.

The 16-time world darts champion is still in shock over the sudden loss of the former boxer, who died at the age of 46 this month.

Hatton was a popular figure in Manchester, having fought 48 professional fights in lightweight from 1997 to 2012.

Memories of Hatton

Taylor, who is 65 years old, said:

“I am in shock. Honestly, it hit me hard.”

And he added:

“I am absolutely heartbroken, to be honest.”

Taylor emphasized that Hatton always remained simple and down-to-earth for him, although some friends noted that he could behave oddly during drinking, but Taylor never observed this.

The experienced boxing fan, Taylor was unable to attend many of Hatton's fights due to work, but was present at several significant matches, including the fight against Kostya Tszyu in June 2005.

Phil Taylor on boxing

Taylor also spoke about Hatton's discipline during training for fights, recalling how he approached his workouts:

“When Ricky found out the fight date, he really became a monk.”

He added that Hatton often weighed himself after runs, waiting for support from his father:

“His dad always demanded: ‘Step on the scales.’”

Text Message from Noel Gallagher

Oasis star Noel Gallagher shared that he had communicated with Ricky Hatton a few days before his death.

The guitarist noted that Ricky was feeling well when seen at concerts:

“He was in great spirits, joking with everyone.”

Gallagher also emphasized that, despite difficult times, Hatton remained a unique personality:

“This just shows that you never know what is really going on.”

The death of Ricky Hatton was a great blow not only for his loved ones but also for the entire sporting community. He left an important legacy in the boxing world, and his friends and fans will remember him as a bright personality who made a significant contribution to the development of the sport.

Phil Taylor's and Noel Gallagher's acknowledgments confirm how much Hatton was valued and how important a figure he was not only in the ring but also outside of it.