OASIS star Liam Gallagher has paid an emotional tribute to boxer Ricky Hatton.
The singer marked his passing 17 years after he and brother Noel carried the world champion's title belts into the ring.
He was flanked by the Manchester legends ahead of his Las Vegas fight with Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas.
Despite plans to make a massive comeback later this year, cops discovered Ricky's body at his £1.75million mansion in Hyde, Gtr Manchester, just before 7am on Sunday.
Police yesterday said that the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Liam wrote on X: "Absolutely devastated to hear the news about RICKY HATTON.
"It was an absolute honour to know him and carry his belts.
"RIP CHAMP LIVE FOREVER LG x."
Ricky's death also comes months after he announced his return to boxing with a fight against Eisa Al Dah planned in Dubai on December 2 — 13 years after an ill-fated comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
Ricky won world titles at both light-welterweight and welterweight and traded blows with some of history's greatest fighters during a glittering 15-year career.
In his prime, he beat ring greats such as Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, before going on to suffer knockout losses to superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest UK fighters of his generation.
Ricky was awarded an MBE in 2007 and had worked as a boxing promoter and trainer since hanging up his gloves.
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