The boxer attended multiple Oasis gigs this summer and was a friend of the Gallagher brothers for years
“Absolutely devastated” Liam Gallagher has paid tribute to Ricky Hatton and shared how he was ‘honoured’ to be given the opportunity to carry the boxer’s belts. Hatton died on Sunday (September 14) at the age of 46 with the shocking news leaving his famous friends and fans reeling.
Oasis star Liam, who was friends with Hatton for years, has broken three months of social media silence to share his sadness. In a post on X, Liam wrote: “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.”
Hatton, whose boxing nickname was The Hitman, was a longtime Oasis fan and he became friends with Liam and his brother Noel over the years, even enlisting the pair to carry his belts and walk him into the ring for his 2008 bout with Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas. This is the fight Liam refers to in his tribute, a memorable occasion for the Gallagher brothers.
The sports star went to the band’s Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour over the summer attending dates in Cardiff, Manchester and Dublin, even sharing a picture of himself posing for a snap with Noel. Hatton previously said of his love for the band: “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a boxing world champion, support [UK soccer team] Man City and listen to Oasis.
“But I became a four-time world champion in two weight classes, ended up boxing at the Etihad Stadium in front of 55,000 people, and became mates with Noel and Liam Gallagher over the years.”
As as well as being a huge Oasis fan, Hatton also followed the same soccer team as the Gallagher brothers – Manchester City – and the team released a statement on Sunday after news of the boxer’s death broke. The statement read: “Hatton wore sky blue shorts and used Blue Moon as his walkout song throughout his career.
“Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters, who will always be remembered for a glittering boxing career that saw him win world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight. Everyone at the club would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Hatton’s brother Matthew, also a boxer, issued a short statement on social media, alongside a collection of photos of the two together. He wrote: “I love you Richard. See you on the other side X.” The popular fighter was also remembered as being “one of a kind” by former footballer David Beckham, who posted photos of Hatton to his Instagram stories.
The death of Hatton is not being treated as suspicious by Greater Manchester Police. A police spokesperson said on Sunday: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am on Sunday, where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
The athlete was open about his mental health issues he endured upon his retirement from the ring. Hatton hadn’t fought professionally since 2012, but his death came as he was training for a return to the ring with an exhibition bout against Eisa Al Dah scheduled to take place in Dubai in December.
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