MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Ricky Hatton, the esteemed former boxing world champion known for his immense popularity, tragically passed away at the age of 46. According to reports from Britain’s Press Association, he was found dead in his home located in Greater Manchester.
Authorities indicated that the circumstances surrounding Hatton's death are not being treated as suspicious. A statement from Greater Manchester Police revealed that officers were alerted by a member of the public at 6:45 a.m. on a Sunday morning, where they subsequently discovered the body of a 46-year-old man, believed to be Hatton.
Following the news of his demise, friends and fellow boxers expressed their heartfelt tributes. Amir Khan, a former world champion, mourned on X, “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.” Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight champion, shared his condolences on Instagram, acknowledging Hatton as a legend and reflecting on the sadness of his loss at such a young age.
Hatton’s brother, Matthew, shared an emotional tribute on X, stating, “I love you Richard,” accompanied by cherished photographs of the brothers. This news arrives just two months after Hatton announced his surprising return to the boxing ring, targeting a bout in December against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai. Remarkably, Hatton had not fought since his last match in 2012, where he lost to Vyacheslav Senchenko, marking the third defeat of his career.
Throughout his boxing career, Hatton clinched world titles in both light-welterweight and welterweight categories. He faced numerous notable fighters, including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao celebrated Hatton by describing him as not only a remarkable athlete inside the ring but also a courageous and kind individual outside of it. “He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey,” Pacquiao stated.
Hatton's rise through amateur levels garnered him a passionate fanbase that followed him to significant bouts in the United States. His charismatic personality, noted for his fluctuating weight between fights, endeared him to fans worldwide. Wayne Rooney, a former Manchester United striker, called Hatton “a legend, a warrior, and a great person” in his tribute. Hatton was notably open about the mental health struggles he faced after retiring, prompting conversations around mental health awareness within the boxing community.
Hatton’s aggressive fighting style contributed immensely to his popularity. He gained international recognition with his remarkable victory over Kostya Tszyu for the IBF world super lightweight title in 2005, a match he described as his greatest achievement. Thousands of fans frequently accompanied him to his fights in America, showcasing the deep connection he forged with his supporters.
Former manager Frank Warren revered him as a “superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation” and echoed sentiments that Hatton would rightfully be remembered as one of the sport’s modern greats. Hatton’s career also included highly publicized defeats, notably to Mayweather and Pacquiao. Despite retiring after the match against Pacquiao in 2009, he made a surprising comeback in 2016 but ultimately lost to Senchenko. This return was viewed as a personal victory, symbolizing his resilience against various challenges.
Beyond boxing, Hatton remained a devoted supporter of Manchester City, and his legacy was honored during a recent Premier League derby against Manchester United, where fans from both sides paid tribute. Manchester City released a statement recognizing Hatton as one of their most beloved supporters, extending condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. His recent announcement of a return to professional boxing came after success in training, notably coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title in 2017.
