Amir Khan reveals he is 'shattered' by pal Ricky Hatton's death - 'It's hit me hard'

Olympic boxer Amir Khan today told how he was "shattered" by the tragic death of sporting "mentor" Ricky Hatton.

The 2004 silver-medallist, 38, revealed the icon had been ringside at his first professional fight. And he told how Hatton - who was found dead at his home in Manchester this morning at the age of 46- even attended his 2013 wedding to beauty influencer Faryal Makhdoom.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Amir said he had been "hit quite hard" by news of Hatton's tragic passing. He said: "It's really, really sad news. It's shattering hearing the news about Ricky. You just look back and you see how short life is.

"He was at my first ever professional fight. when. I turned over and the first ever deal we did with ITV he was working on that fight with Mario Kindelan. He's always been a very close friend and he always messages me, we keep in touch. He was at my wedding.

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"Honestly we've lost a really good man, he was an amazing man, it's really sad to hear. I hope his family are OK, my thoughts are with them. It's something that I never really expected at such a young age. It's such a shock of hearing that he's died, he's a legend of the sport.

"He wasn't only a professional boxer, he was a friend of mine as well. You could always have a chat with him and laugh with him. It has hit me quite hard because he was very close to me."

Fan favourite Hatton, known as The Hitman, won four world titles after trading blows with some of history’s greatest fighters. Hatton, who was awarded an MBE, had worked as a boxing promoter and trainer since hanging up his gloves.

He also appeared on the TV show Dancing on Ice last year. The boxer - who was an Oasis fan - famously had Noel and Liam Gallagher walk him into the ring for his 2008 fight, and later attended their reunion concerts.

Cops confirmed a 46-year-old man found dead at a property in Hyde, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of this morning. Police said they were called by a member of the public to attend the scene at 6.45am.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding Ricky's death. The full GMP statement read: "Officers were called by a member of the public to attend an address in Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances."

In a heartbreaking tribute on social media, Amir wrote: "Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.

"As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness.

"It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other. Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible.

"To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding.

"Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories."