Ricky Hatton, one of Britain’s most beloved boxers, showed the warmth and generosity that defined him just days before his sudden death at 46. The former world champion recorded a heartfelt message for 10-year-old Louie, a schoolboy who had been suffering at the hands of bullies.

In the 30-second clip, Hatton encouraged the aspiring young fighter to keep believing in himself. “I believe you’ve been having a tough time at school by a couple of bullies. Don’t worry about it, my mate, that’s nothing new. Even I had a bully when I was at school. But you’ve done the right thing taking up boxing, not so you can get your own back on him, but because boxing gives you confidence. And the minute these bullies see you’ve got that confidence, they’ll leave you alone. So keep your chin up, son, and good luck with your boxing.”

Louie’s mother Sally, who had reached out to Hatton, said the video would be “treasured forever.” Fighting back tears, she explained: “It’s amazing that Ricky sent this to us when he was clearly so low himself. It showed how kind he was, and it meant so much to me and my boy.”

Hatton’s death on Sunday at his home in Manchester has left the sporting world stunned. Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious. The boxer, who held multiple world titles and famously fought Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, had been preparing for a comeback fight this December and was also expected at the Manchester derby over the weekend.

Tributes have poured in from across the sporting world. Tyson Fury described Hatton as “a legend” and said, “There will only be one Ricky Hatton.” Amir Khan wrote: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior. Sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness—it’s part of being human. Ricky, thank you for everything. Rest well, you’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”

Promoter Frank Warren added: “He inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before. Ricky will rightly go down as one of the modern greats of the sport.”