It was Manchester derby day, but the mood in Ricky Hatton's local pub was sombre.

That morning news that 46-year-old former world champion boxer had died at home in Gee Cross, Tameside had broken. And in the nearby Queen Adelaide his friends were struggling to come to terms with the shock.

Hatton was a regular in the 200-year-old pub on Stockport Road. He'd pop in most Thursdays to have a pint of Guinness with the landlord and friend of 30 years Simon Boot.

Speaking on Sunday night, Simon, who says he attended every single one of Hatton's 48 professional fights, including the five times he fought in Vegas, said: "You won’t hear anyone in here say a bad word about him.

"When he walked in the door he was laughing and joking with everybody. He was a four time world champion and h

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