Ricky Hatton was remembered as a "warrior" who became the "people's champion" as boxing legends and sporting greats paid tribute following the fighter's death at the age of 46.
Former world champion Hatton's body was found at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester on Sunday and police said there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
Stockport-born Hatton - nicknamed 'the Hitman' - was high on the list of Britain's most popular and recognisable boxers having won world titles in the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions.
Amir Khan remembered "one of Britain's greatest boxers" and Tyson Fury said Hatton was a "legend", while Wayne Rooney said he was "devastated" by the news.
Boxing journalist Steve Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We used the cliche 'people's champion', but nobody had come close to what Ricky was before and nobody has come close to what Ricky was since.
"He fought with every part of his soul and fibre. If he won there was nothing left, and if he lost there was nothing left. He gave everything in victory and defeat.
"He should never have been as good as he was. He should never have had the fame and accolades and glory he had, but that was down to pure determination and desire."
Hatton's parents made a small gym in the basement of their pub when he was 12, and it was there that he honed his skills on a punching bag.
He rose through amateur and domestic levels to pit his wits against elite boxers of his generation, including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.
Hatton achieved a staggering 43-0 record before his first loss came at the hands of Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2007.