Ricky Hatton comeback fight: Eisa Al Dah, who was scheduled to fight Brit boxer in Dubai, issues statement after former world champion's tragic death

On Sunday, it was confirmed that Hatton had passed away at the age of just 46. A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances."

During his career, 'The Hitman' had a record of 48 fights, 45 wins and three losses. His three defeats came against Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Hatton, who last fought professionally in 2012, was scheduled to fight Al Dah in December in Dubai in a comeback fight. Reacting to Hatton's death, Al Dah has now released a statement of his own.

He said to The National: "In just a couple of hours, I was [going to see] him here in Dubai. We booked the hotel. We booked the [plane] ticket. Everything had been arranged.

"From my side, I was checking everything, and I was so excited to see him over here and visit us here in Dubai. And he was also excited. But suddenly, I get this news from his managers. My heart is broken."

Al Dah continued: "Since knowing I will fight him, I became very close to him, seeing his news, following him on Instagram. I follow his life, how he trained, everything. I cannot believe it. I wish somebody told me this is wrong.

"I've been through many things in my life in the boxing or business. But this is something that I cannot believe."