Hatton's Death Is 'heartbreaking' - Rooney

Ricky Hatton "captured nan nation" and his decease is "devastating", says erstwhile Manchester United and England guardant Wayne Rooney.

Fomer world champion Hatton was recovered dormant astatine nan property of 46 astatine his location successful Manchester connected Sunday.

Rooney, 39, carried Hatton's belts into nan ringing earlier nan boxer's triumph complete Jose Luis Castillo successful Las Vegas successful 2007.

"Ricky was specified a bully lad and a bully person," nan ex-footballer said connected nan latest section of The Wayne Rooney Show.

"He is personification who captured nan nation, successful position of nan support he got, they followed him each astir nan world.

"I want to salary my condolences to his family and everyone who is really adjacent to him. It is measurement excessively soon."

Rooney said he was told nan news of Hatton's decease conscionable aft playing successful a Manchester United legends accumulation lucifer successful South Korea.

"It has not afloat kicked in," he added. "It's devastating. Heartbreaking.

"I americium judge complete nan adjacent fewer days from everyone crossed nan state we will spot a batch of messages and group will understand what a existent man and bully personification he was."

Rooney was 21 erstwhile he helped transportation Hatton's title belts into nan ringing alongside legendary Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera earlier nan Castillo fight.

"It was 1 of nan astir tense I person ever been," said Rooney.

"I was successful nan excavation each time successful Vegas, it was hot, and my look sewage a spot burnt, but past I retrieve opinionated successful nan dressing room and being nervous.

"He hadn't mislaid astatine that time. I was thinking, 'He does not suffer tonight. Is it connected you? Is it your fault?'"

Hatton went connected to clasp his IBO ray welterweight crown pinch a stunning fourth-round knockout.

Rooney said they went to a formation statement afterwards pinch family and had "a awesome day".

He added: "So often you spot immoderate type of personage who are not really relatable, but Ricky was surely relatable and bully nosy to beryllium around."