Ricky Hatton won 45 of his 48 professional bouts during a 15-year boxing career, and was world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight. He last fought professionally in 2012, though had planned to return to the ring in October.
Nicknamed ‘the Hitman’, Hatton established himself as a hugely popular fighter with character inside and outside the ring – an estimated 30,000 fans travelled to watch his title fight against the great Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in 2007.
Campbell was also a professional boxer and won his first 14 professional fights. He retired earlier this year.
Hatton’s family issued a statement on Monday in which they spoke of the outpouring of love and support towards him.
“He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him,” it said.