British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.
British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Greater Manchester at the age of 46. The iconic fighter competed between 1997 and 2012 before working as a promoter and trainer. He won a total of six world titles across three weight divisions and will be remembered as one of the best UK fighters of his generation.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that a body was found and said that the death is not being treated as suspicious. A police cordon remains in place at Hatton’s home in Gee Cross, Hyde. He would have turned 47 next month and leaves behind three children including his son Campbell, who also boxed professionally before retiring earlier this year.
Ricky Hatton was found dead in his Manchester home at the age of 46 (Image: GETTY)
A police spokesperson confirmed: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
The devastating news comes months after Hatton announced his planned return to the boxing ring, with a fight pencilled in for December. He was due to face United Arab Emirates fighter Eisa Al Dah over eight three-minute rounds.
Hatton was a unified world champion at light-welterweight, beating IBF champion Kostya Tszyu and WBA titlist Carlos Maussa in 2005. The following year, he claimed the WBA welterweight strap by outpointing Luis Collazo.
He shared the ring with some of boxing’s biggest stars, including the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Hatton finished his professional career with an impressive record of 45 victories and only three defeats.
Hatton won six world titles across three weight divisions during his career (Image: GETTY)
Hatton had been inspired to return to the sport by the Oasis reunion, which he hailed as ‘inspiring’ and said he hoped to do something similar.
Speaking to The Sun last month, he said: “It inspired a lot of people, you know, for me to get in shape again at the age I’m at. Especially bearing in mind all my problems I’ve had personally with mental health and stuff like that.
“It was nice for so many people to come up to me and go: ‘Oh, I’ve always struggled with my weight and to see you get it off at your age’.”
Tributes have been flooding in on social media with the news of Hatton’s death leaving the sporting world stunned. Piers Morgan was among those to pay tribute to the boxer, writing: “RIP Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, 46.
“Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news.”
Fellow boxing icon Amir Khan wrote: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.
“As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong. We train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it.
The iconic boxer captured the hearts of fight fans across the country (Image: GETTY)
“We must reach out. We must lean on each other. Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible.
“To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding. Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”
Hatton had spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and drug addiction. He overcame a fall out with his family, who he made up with after addressing his own mental health.
