Vincent Kompany compares Ricky Hatton to Thomas Muller as he pays tribute

VINCENT KOMPANY has compared Ricky Hatton to Thomas Muller in his touching tribute to the boxer.

The iconic British brawler was found dead in his Manchester home on Sunday by his manager, Paul Speak .

3 Vincent Kompany has paid tribute to Ricky Hatton Credit: AFP

3 The former Man City defender enjoyed a night out with Hatton and Liam Gallagher Credit: Twitter

3 Kompany compared Hatton to Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller Credit: Getty

Kompany , 39, spent over a decade of his playing career in Manchester as he starred for Man City .

He was asked about Hatton ahead of Bayern Munich 's Champions League clash against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The Belgian compared City fan Hitman's affinity to Manchester with Bayern legend Thomas Muller 's links to Munich, Germany .

He said: " Ricky is such a difficult thing to explain.

"If you've been in Manchester, that's when you understand how big Ricky was.

"Comparing for the German journalists, he's like Thomas Müller from Munich, but from another sport.

"I can't remember a single major event for Man City where he hasn't been a part or centre of it.

"He was respected on both sides as well, which is not easy in this part of the world.

"Obviously, it was devastating news.

"I can't think there isn't a single Mancunian who did not spend the whole day talking about it, calling the family, just because he had an impact on everyone's life."

The Belgian continued: "It's sad and thoughts with the family, with the loved ones.

"I hope out of this that a lot of people will remember the great things he did for the town."

Kompany had spent time with Hatton while in Manchester as he enjoyed a night out with the boxing legend, along with Oasis star Liam Gallagher .

Hatton’s death came months after he announced his return to boxing with a fight against Eisa Al Dah planned for December in Dubai .

By Jack Figg

Paulie Malignaggi, November 2008

In his first fight since splitting with long-time trainer Billy Graham, Hatton dominated Malignaggi in one of his best displays of boxing.

Coached by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton would earn a 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a horrifying KO loss.

Luis Collazo, June 2007

Hatton dropped the veteran American in the opening seconds of round one and looked on course for a demolition job.

But he was taken to the brink over 12 rounds but held on to victory - earning him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather six months later.

Kostya Tszyu, June 2005

Russian-born Aussie Tszyu was behind only Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings when he travelled to Manchester.

And Hatton pulled off a career-best win to stop Tszyu in the 11th round of what was a brutal war. He became light-welterweight world champ.

Eamonn Magee, June 2002

Hatton was dropped by the Irishman and looked to be on the brink of defeat.

But he got to his feet and rallied back to win over 12 rounds - showcasing his trademark grit and determination.

Jon Thaxton, October 2000

Hatton had to overcome a nasty cut - not for the first time in his career - to edge out a points win.

It won him the British light-welterweight title

He won world titles at both light-welterweight and welterweight and traded blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.

During a glittering 15-year career, he beat ring greats such as Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo.

He went on to suffer knockout losses to superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.

Tributes flooded in from all over the world for fan-favourite and working-class hero Hatton — one of the biggest personalities in boxing.

Former champ Amir Khan , who is from nearby Bolton, credited pal Hatton as being a major inspiration .

He said: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton .”

The tragedy came days after Hatton had attended the funeral of pal David Leigh .