Former professional boxer and world champion Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Hatton’s body was found at his home on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde, on Sunday, September 14.
He was 46.
Police stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious. Hatton, who was known for his career between 1997 and 2012, held multiple world championships in the light-welterweight division. He had been planning a return to the ring for a fight scheduled in December.
Hatton, who would have celebrated his 47th birthday next month, leaves behind a remarkable legacy as one of the most beloved and popular British fighters of his generation.
Hatton’s career earned him multiple world championships in the light-welterweight division. His career highlight came in 2005 when he defeated the highly-regarded Kostya Tszyu, a victory that cemented his place at the top of the sport and earned him the prestigious “Fighter of the Year” award from The Ring magazine.
He was known for his huge following, with thousands of loyal fans traveling across the Atlantic to support him in Las Vegas for his mega-fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009, when the Filipino ring icon knocked him out in the 2nd round.
While he suffered defeats in both bouts, his willingness to take on the best in the world only added to his reputation as a fearless warrior.
After his professional retirement in 2012, Hatton was candid about his struggles with depression and addiction, becoming an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. He had been planning a return to the ring for an exhibition fight in December, a decision that had generated significant buzz among his fans.
