Humble Hitman faced battles in and out of the ring

BORN in Stockport in October 1978, Ricky grew up on the nearby Hattersley estate in Greater Manchester.

- BY MATT ROPER

His mum Carol and dad Ray owned four pubs and as a young lad, Ricky helped out behind the bar for pocket money.

His first hero Bruce Lee inspired him to take up kickboxing but by age 11 he had started boxing.

He turned professional in September 1997 under promoter Frank Warren and his crowning moment came in 2005 when he defeated Kostya Tszyu in front of 20,000 fans in Manchester to claim the IBF light-welterweight title.

Two years later, he beat Mexican Jose Luis Castillo, to set up a clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas.