“I want to get the truth out, otherwise people will just speculate.”

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Paul Speak, Ricky Hatton and Jane Couch

Ricky Hatton’s manager was filled with “shock and confusion” when he discovered the boxer’s lifeless body. Paul Speak – who had worked with the former world champion for almost 30 years – found his friend d3ad at his Greater Manchester home earlier this month and he’s opened up about the wave of emotions that hit him as he processed the scene in front of him.

Paul – who had gone to Ricky’s home to take him to the airport for a flight to Dubai – told Boxing News magazine: “The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange. I thought he’d overslept, but it’s not unusual. People do oversleep. So, I went inside – I have a key – shouting, ‘Rick, Rick, wake up!’

“I heard music coming from upstairs, so I went upstairs… I took a look at him… I had to take some time to process it.

“I was in a state of shock and confusion and loss and many more emotions. Then I called the police and the ambulance.

“But I firmly believe he didn’t intend to do it. It’s for the coroner to determine, but he had it all to live for.”

Paul insisted Ricky was “in a really good place” before his d3ath at the age of 46 and had been making a lot of plans.

He added: “He’d arranged to take his daughters to see Oasis next week. He was planning to go to Thailand for the WBC convention and a holiday after his fight. He’d just booked a flight to Tenerife for Christmas.

“I want to get the truth out, otherwise people will just speculate.

“There’s been a lot of rubbish written about Ricky and his parents, but he’d seen his mum just last week; gave her a big hug and some love.

“He was going to see his dad after getting back from Dubai.

“His daughters had never seen him box, so he was excited for that. So many things for him to live for – he was in a really good place.”

Ricky had spoken openly about his mental health struggles in the past and Paul admitted his friend’s d3ath wouldn’t have been “as big a shock” if it had happened a decade ago.

He said: “If this was 10 years ago, it wouldn’t have been as big a shock as it was.

“I’ve been with Ricky to the very highest mountains in boxing to the lowest chasm in life.”