Ricky Hatton's devastated friend knew something was wrong before tragic news of his death

Ricky Hatton's absence at a boxingfight prior to his tragic passing left one of his friends concerned about the boxing icon. The Manchester-born great was found dead at his home last month in news that shocked the sporting world.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that he had been found at his Hyde address and announced that the death was not being treated as suspicious. Hatton, who was 46 at the time of his passing, will be laid to rest today just four days after what would have been his 47th birthday.

His passing came just three months before he was set to make his return to professional boxing after 13 years. Hatton was scheduled to take on Dubai's first professional boxer, Eisa Al Dah, in December.

Hatton's death resulted in widespread tributes from across the globe with his friend, pundit Steve Bunce, forced to react to the tragic news on Radio 5 Live. Bunce, one of the pre-eminent voices in boxing, discussed the news just moments after it was confirmed with presenter Steve Crossman making sure Bunce was in the right frame of mind to continue.

It was then when Bunce revealed Hatton, who had been open about his struggles with depression and addiction, failed to show up to a boxing fight the night before his death was confirmed.

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Bunce said: "It's an unbelievably shocking piece of news because he was in a really good place. He's had some troubles, Rick. I mean, he's talked about his mental health problems, he's talked about his addictions; he's addressed them, faced them, attacked them and solved them.

"He was preparing for an exhibition fight; like it is for so many fighters, the gym's been his salvation. He was getting his body and his head in a better place. Apparently, talking to people, he didn't show up on Friday at the gym, and he was meant to be at a fight last night and he didn't show up, and someone went to his house this morning... It is shocking news."

It was just last year that Hatton, known as 'the People's champion', was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In a professional career that spanned 15 years, Hatton became a two-weight world champion.

Earning titles in the welterweight and light welterweight divisions, his greatest victory came in came 2005 when he defeated Kostya Tszyu to claim the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles.

He shared the ring with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao and initially ended his career after his defeat to the latter in 2009. However, 'The Hitman' returned to the sport in 2012 to face Vyacheslav Senchenko but retired for the final time following his loss to the Ukrainian.

Hatton discussed training for his return back in August, revealing his pride that speaking out about the issues he's faced has helped inspire people. Hatton explained: "It inspired a lot of people, you know, for me to get in shape again at the age I'm at.

"Especially bearing in mind all my problems I've had personally with mental health and stuff like that. It was nice for so many people to come up to me and go, 'Oh, I've always struggled with my weight, and to see you get it off at your age.'

"I've always struggled with my mental health, and I've had my problems. And to see where you were a few years ago to what you're doing now, it's inspirational."