Ricky Hatton’s family said the late boxer was in a “good place” before his death Sunday at the age of 46 in his native England.
“We are all distraught at the events of recent days. To all our knowledge, despite his well-documented struggles, Richard was in a good place,” the Hatton family and his team said in a statement posted to Instagram.
Greater Manchester Police told NBC News they found a 46-year-old man Sunday morning inside a residence in Hyde, England, and they did not believe that foul play had occurred.
The family’s statement said Paul Speak, his long-time manager, found him.
The statement added that Hatton spoke with family members in the “days and weeks” leading into the weekend, and had dinner with his “girls” on Friday night.
Hatton had two daughters, Millie and Fearne, with ex-fiancée Jennifer Dooley, along with a son, Cooper, from a different partner.
“Richard was not alone in life or in the days before the weekend,” the statement said. “We are all in shock at the events that unfolded over the weekend.”
Hatton, a former world champion spanning two weight classes, had been gearing up for his first fight in 13 years this December against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai.
He won the light welterweight and welterweight crowns during his career, posting a 45-3 record with 32 wins by TKO.
“He was excited for the future; His bag was packed, ready to go to Dubai to promote a comeback fight and he was planning a celebration in Dubai of which his beloved girls, Millie and Fearne, were to be the center of,” the team and family wrote in a statement.
“He was excited that they would see him fight for the first time in person. He was a doting grandfather and loved spending time with Campbell and Lyla. Richard planned to spend more time in Tenerife.”
The family added that a memorial service is in the works, but it does not plan to provide any more comments.
“The outpouring of grief and love from the nation and worldwide shows how much Richard was loved,” the post read. “It will, in time, be something that gives us all some comfort and pride. For now, however, we would like to have a period of private and personal mourning. The priority for all of us is to ensure the well-being and support of Richard’s children and granddaughter.”