By Ricky Hatton, the former boxing world champion who rose to become one of the most popular fighters in the sport, has died. He was 46.
Former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton, whose all-action style made him one of the most popular fighters of the 2000s, has died. He was 46.
The World Boxing Association and Hatton’s former manager Frank Warren were among those to mourn Hatton on social media Sunday.
“With deep sadness, the WBA mourns the passing of Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton,” the WBA wrote. “A true champion, an indomitable spirit, and a legend of the sport. Your legacy will live on in every fight and in the hearts of boxing fans around the world.”
Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester, Britain’s Press Association reported Sunday.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that officers found the body of an unidentified 46-year-old man at a home in Hyde, England, and that “there are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.” Police would not reveal the identity of the man but said they were working with his family to provide a statement for media.
“Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement. “There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Hatton was perhaps the most popular British boxer of all-time, with his raucous fanbase regularly travelling across the Atlantic in their thousands to watch him fight the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in some of the biggest bouts in British boxing history.
He held multiple world titles in the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions during a storied boxing career, having first claimed one by beating Kosta Tszyu on a remarkable night at the MEN Arena in his home city of Manchester in 2005. The British boxing great had been due to make a comeback to the ring in December.
British boxer Ricky Hatton takes part in a training session at a gym in Denton, near Manchester, north-west England, 13 November 2007, ahead of his fight against US boxer Floyd Mayweather.
Hatton’s down-to-earth demeanor also endeared him to fans across the world, and he was open about the mental health issues he endured upon his retirement from the ring.
He overcame a fallout with his family and a court case with former trainer Billy Graham to become a successful trainer, coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.
Hatton had announced his return to boxing during the summer, with a fight with United Arab Emirates Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight bout scheduled for 2 December.
Hatton, who won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across an esteemed 15 year career, had last fought professionally in 2012, suffering defeat by Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Senchenko.
In his career, Hatton won world titles at both welterweight and light-welterweight, He earned notable world title wins over Russia’s Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo among others, before defeats by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.
First tributes paid to The Hitman
Amir Khan (left) with Ricky Hatton (right)
Tributes have started to pour in for Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, ”Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior” says boxer Amir Khan, paying tribute on X.
“Rest well, Ricky, You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”
Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit.”
Amir Khan, Boxer
There will only be one Ricky Hatton – Tyson Fury
In the last few moments we’ve also heard from boxing great Tyson Fury: “Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton, may He rest in peace,” the former heayweight world champion posted on Instagram.
“There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton, Can’t believe this.”
A boxing icon, a true Man City fan’: Micah Richards remembers Hatton as ‘Man of the people
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has been paying tribute to his friend, Ricky Hatton, ahead of this afternoon’s Manchester derby.
“The news is devastating,” Richards says.
“He’s such a British icon… a true Man City fan, but most importantly he was a man of the people.
“He was the nicest guy ever, I remember going down to one of his gyms and I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know about boxing and he said ‘just do this’ and he took his time.
“For him to take the time and effort, I’ve been multiple times for beers with him just talking about football and life.
“To get this news now is just surreal.”
‘What a guy, and what a fighter’: Micheal Owen
We’ve also just heard from former Liverpool footballer Michael Owen: “RIP Ricky Hatton”, he writes, “What a guy, And what a fighter” he says on X. “Incredibly sad news.”
