Ricky Hatton’s former manager Frank Warren has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late British boxing icon. Hatton sadly died at the age of 46 on Sunday and he has since been emotionally honoured by the world of boxing. British boxing legend Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater ManchesterGetty Images - GettyAnd his former manager Warren has now paid tribute to the iconIan Walton/MatchroomManny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are just a few of the superstars to have sent a tribute – along with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and playmaker Phil Foden.And promoter Warren, who was Hatton’s manager from the start of his career in 1997 up until 2005, has now discussed the devastating news and looked back on what made the Brit a legend.The pair worked together as he grew up and worked his way to becoming a boxing world champion in 2005 – before unifying the super lightweight division.Hatton incredibly beat Kostya Tszyu to claim the IBF and Ring Magazine titles for the first time in one of the biggest upsets ever in British boxing.They would split soon after that historic victory, but Warren and Hatton built a strong connection during that stage of his career. Speaking about Hatton, Warren told talkSPORT: “It’s a dreadful thing. He’s a man of the people, Manchester’s own.“I remember when he signed when he was a young man, 18 years of age, right through to when he fought at Manchester against Kostya Tszyu, who at that time was pound-for-pound the best in the world.“He was a massive underdog, he had the fight of his life and won the title.“He was just phenomenal, an unbelievable night for him.“For this to happen at the young age of 46 is just a tragedy.”Hatton’s win over Tszyu saw him become a world champion for the first timeAFPWarren worked with Hatton from when he was a teenager up until that title winFrom three to 30,000Warren then looked back on Hatton’s phenomenal career, hailing his growth from when he first signed him to when he took on Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in 2007. “He was a very good young amateur, then training him was Billy Graham and we met with him and his father,” Warren remarked.“He signed with me, I remember doing the deal, I was up in Manchester, we put a show on there and he made his debut in a place called Withenshaw.“I remember he sold three tickets for the show and this was the man who took 30,000 people when he went and fought Flory Mayweather in Vegas. That’s how much his popularity grew.“[It grew] because one: He was an exciting fighter, he beat the pound-for-pound No.1 as a big underdog against Kostya Tszyu.“And also because of the fact he was such a nice bloke outside the ring, everybody just loved him, he was a man of the people, what you saw is what you got.”Hatton had 30,000 Brits with him in Vegas when he took on Mayweather in 2007Getty Images - Getty‘Could have been world champion for a long time’Hatton is a multi-time world champion, previously holding belts in the super-lightweight and welterweight divisions. He is a British boxing legend, but Warren believes he could have been even more than that if it weren’t for his competition. Mayweather and Pacquiao dominated the same era and had their own bouts with Hatton during their careers. Warren discussed his rivals, as well as the impact that his superb success had on the sport of boxing in Manchester.The Queensbury founder said: “He had his moments outside the ring, which he had a couple of little issues.“But once he got in the gym and was training, that’s where he came alive. He loved it. He was in there and training really hard.Warren believes Hatton could have been even more successful had he not been in competition with Pacquiao and MayweatherGetty“He was in the era of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, who are legends of the sport. “Had those two guys not been around, he would have been world champion for a long, long time.”Warren added: “He inspired a lot of youngsters [in Britain], certainly boxing in Manchester came alive because of him.“It was a hotbed, it was probably the capital of British boxing at one stage and that was all down to Ricky and what he brought, his endeavours in the ring.“He was a very, very, very good entertaining fighter, he was one of Britain’s best.”Contact CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) for help and support – their helpline and Webchat is open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.