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Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has been paying tribute to his friend, Ricky Hatton, on Sky Sports now ahead of this afternoon's Manchester derby.

"The news is devastating," Richards says.

"He's such a British icon... a true Man City fan, but most importantly he was a man of the people.

"He was the nicest guy ever - I remember going down to one of his gyms and I was a bit nervous because I didn't know about boxing and he said 'just do this' and he took his time.

"For him to take the time and effort, I've been multiple times for beers with him just talking about football and life.

"To get this news now is just surreal."

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Fellow British boxer Chris Eubank Jr has a tribute to Ricky Hatton on X.

Speaking to BBC News, BBC Sport Centre's Hugh Ferris says Hatton was a sporting icon, not only in what he achieved, but for the city in which he lived, Manchester.

Manchester, a city divided by its two football teams, United and City, was united by the boxer, Ferris explains.

"He was able to unite a city in support of his efforts in the boxing ring."

However, he was an "absolute die hard blue" - also known as a fan of Manchester City.

Hatton was also friends with the Gallagher brothers, otherwise known as Oasis, fellow Mancunian legends.

Outside of the ring, "he was a Manchester lad" who went out with friends, Ferris continues.

"Here in the city of Manchester, and beyond throughout the world, he was an incredibly popular man."

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We've also just heard from former Liverpool footballer Michael Owen: "RIP Ricky Hatton", he writes.

"What a guy. And what a fighter" he says on X. "Incredibly sad news."

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Hatton had announced his return to boxing during the summer, with a fight with United Arab Emirates' Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight bout scheduled for 2 December.

Hatton, who won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across an esteemed 15-year career, had last fought professionally in 2012, suffering defeat by Ukraine's Vyacheslav Senchenko.

In his career, Hatton won world titles at both welterweight and light-welterweight.

He earned notable world title wins over Russia's Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo among others, before defeats by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.

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In the last few moments we've also heard from boxing great Tyson Fury.

"Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton may he rip," the former heayweight world champion posted on Instagram.

"There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. Can't believe this so young."

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Tributes have started to pour in for Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton.

"Today we lost not only one of Britain's greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior" says boxer Amir Khan, paying tribute on X.

"Rest well, Ricky. You'll always have your place in the ring of our memories."

Fellow boxer Anthony Fowler has also taken to X: "Feel sick" he writes. "RIP Ricky Hatton".

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Hatton's stellar career included world titles in two weight classes - light-welterweight and welterweight.

Nicknamed "The Hitman", his all-action style made him one of the most popular fighters in the first decade of the 21st century.

He rose through amateur and domestic levels to pit his wits against the best boxers of his generation including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.

He also achieved a staggering 43-0 record before his first loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr at the MGM Grand in 2007.

We can now just bring you a statement from Greater Manchester Police, it says:

Former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.

Police said a 46-year-old man was found dead this morning at his home in Hyde in Tameside, Greater Manchester.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

We'll be bringing you reaction and updates as we get them, so stick with us.