Ricky was a friend and Tyson could relate to his challenges

Paris Fury tells of bond between boxing legends

- BY TOM BRYANT Associate Editor (Showbiz)

PARIS Fury has told how the death of Ricky Hatton affected her husband Tyson, admitting: "It hit him really hard.

In an interview with today's Notebook magazine, Paris, 35, says: “He had a low few days.

“He was a friend of Ricky and could really relate to him - seeing similarities in their journeys as retired boxers who faced challenges with life after the ring”

Like 37-year-old Fury, Hatton, 46, had spoken about his battle with depression, as well as drug and alcohol addiction after hanging up his gloves.

Opening up about their bond, Paris adds: “The boxing community is close, in general. They'd done training together and Ricky let him use his gym when Tyson made his comeback.

"They weren't best friends on the phone all the time but in boxing, it's a close-knit world.”