Former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton was found dead at home on Sunday aged 46 and his family has now released a statement

Ricky Hatton's family have released a statement following his death.

They said the former world champion "had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him."

The family added: "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. But he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from."

Hatton, who was 46, became one of Britain's most popular fighters during his career, which peaked in 2005 when he became world champion in his home city of Manchester. He went on to fight Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, losing both - defeats which plunged him into a deep depression.

More to follow...