Ricky Hatton's surprise 'toughest opponent' pays tribute to late friend and boxing icon

Jon Thaxton has paid tribute to Ricky Hatton, after the British boxing legend was found dead at his home. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the tragic news in a statement after attending Hatton's property in Hyde on Sunday.

A spokesperson from the force said: "Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, 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 the days that have followed, a number of Hatton's close friends and family have shared their own touching tributes to 'the Hitman', including Thaxton, who shared the ring with him in a gruelling barn-burner at the Wembley Conference Centre in 2000. While many fight fans believed that Thaxton would have been a walkover for Hatton, 'Jono' lasted the full 12 rounds as he challenged for the vacant British light-welterweight title.

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton's manager and 'his confidant' found boxing icon dead at home

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton dead: Police statement, tributes and legacy after boxer dies aged 46

Remembering the bout on BBC Radio Norfolk, Thaxton said: "He was the people's champion and that's one title you cannot win, you have to earn it. For 48 minutes in there, we didn't like each other much, but after that, whenever we've seen each other on the circuit, it's all been good.

"He came to my retirement dinner. He was a genuine, good person. I'm very proud of that fight. It wasn't my best performance, but it was my most favourite fight, and it did put my name out there a bit. People still talk about that fight, and that's something to be proud of."

A former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion, 'the Hitman' shared the squared circle with some of the world's greatest fighters over the course of his career. And while many prizefighting fans may highlight his 2007 loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr or his 2009 defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao as the toughest battles of his career, Thaxton's promoter, Neil Featherby, believes that his fighter gave Hatton the toughest time in the ring.

He explained: "Ricky was always the first to say that Jon was his toughest opponent. We all thought it was going to be over very quickly because it was such a bad cut, and we thought it was going to be stopped early."

Thaxton enjoyed a stellar career in boxing of his own, culminating in winning the WBF lightweight title over Christophe De Busillet in 2005. He retired four years later with a record of 34-11. Despite once going to war with the now 51-year-old, a budding friendship bloomed between Hatton and Thaxton, with the former attending the latter's retirement dinner in 2010.

Thaxton's former coach, Graham Everett, remembered the event well, explaining: "He sat at the top table with us all, and he was brilliant. He supported Jon. They had that lifelong friendship after their fight, and he was never interested in a rematch!

"He always laughed and joked about it. He was a great character and one of Britain's greatest ever boxers, without a shadow of a doubt."

It comes as Hatton's family have shared their own heart-wrenching tribute to the boxing legend. The family said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard.

"Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us, he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many. He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

"To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.

"He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.

"As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support. It has been a source of great comfort to see just how many lives Richard touched, and how widely he was admired and respected.

"At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we come to terms with life without him. In the days and weeks ahead, we will take strength from one another and from the knowledge that Richard’s legacy — both in boxing and as a man — will continue to live on.

"Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly. With love and gratitude, The Hatton Family."