OASIS star Noel Gallagher says he texted tragic boxer Ricky Hatton days before he died.
The guitarist, 58, also revealed how his pal was joking around at recent gigs in Manchester.
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Noel said: “We were texting. I saw him at Heaton Park a couple of the nights, and he was on standard Ricky form, wisecracking with everyone.
“He was having a drink. He was great. We don’t know what happened, but he struggled with mental health, that’s widely known.
“It just shows you that you never really know. It’s such a shame. He’s a great Mancunian.”
Welterweight Ricky, 46, a Manchester City fan like Noel and brother Liam, was found at his home on Sunday morning.
Noel added: “He was one of us. He came with all his mates for the week, and it was like he was part of the band.
“It is a real shame for his family. I was gobsmacked by it. But he had an amazing career.”
Noel recalled how Ricky asked him and Liam to carry his belts into the ring for his 2008 world title fight against Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas, which Hatton won.
He said: “It was an honour to do that. We had a funny night out around the clubs after that.
“That image of him as a wise-cracking lad, that was him. He will be sorely missed. He was such a humble, lovely guy.”
Liam, 52, also paid tribute to Ricky following his death.
He posted a picture of the boxer at a recent Oasis gig adding: “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 lgx”
Oasis will pay tribute to Ricky at their next gig at Wembley on September 27.
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Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
By Jack Figg
Paulie Malignaggi, November 2008
In his first fight since splitting with long-time trainer Billy Graham, Hatton dominated Malignaggi in one of his best displays of boxing.
Coached by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton would earn a 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a horrifying KO loss.
Luis Collazo, June 2007
Hatton dropped the veteran American in the opening seconds of round one and looked on course for a demolition job.
But he was taken to the brink over 12 rounds but held on to victory – earning him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather six months later.
Kostya Tszyu, June 2005
Russian-born Aussie Tszyu was behind only Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings when he travelled to Manchester.
And Hatton pulled off a career-best win to stop Tszyu in the 11th round of what was a brutal war. He became light-welterweight world champ.
Eamonn Magee, June 2002
Hatton was dropped by the Irishman and looked to be on the brink of defeat.
But he got to his feet and rallied back to win over 12 rounds – showcasing his trademark grit and determination.
Jon Thaxton, October 2000
Hatton had to overcome a nasty cut – not for the first time in his career – to edge out a points win.
It won him the British light-welterweight title.
