WORLD champion boxer Ricky Hatton has tragically died just weeks after announcing a bombshell return to the ring.
The sporting icon was found dead at his home in Manchester this morning at the age of 46.
SplashRicky Hatton at The PFA Awards 2025 at The Opera house Theatre in Manchester[/caption]
AFPBritish Ricky Hatton battles with US Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, 2007[/caption]
GettyCampbell Hatton and his dad Ricky Hatton MBE, former professional boxer on the side line before the UEFA Champions League in 2024 in Manchester[/caption]
GettyBritish boxer Ricky Hatton in 2000 during the peak of his career[/caption]
Greater Manchester Police said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Fan favourite Hatton, known as The Hitman, won four world titles after trading blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
Hatton, who was awarded an MBE, had worked as a boxing promoter and trainer since hanging up his gloves.
He also appeared on the TV show Dancing on Ice last year.
The boxer – who was an Oasis fan – famously had Noel and Liam Gallagher walk him into the ring for his 2008 fight, and later attended their reunion concerts.
Tributes have flooded in for the legendary down-to-earth fighter, with heartbroken posts reading: “RIP Hitman”.
Fellow boxing legend Tyson Fury wrote on Instagram: “Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he RIP. There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this so young.”
“An icon of British boxing and one of its best characters,” one fan wrote.
Piers Morgan wrote on X: “RIP Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, 46. Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news.”
Former world champion Amir Khan wrote in a touching post: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.”
Olympic boxer Anthony Fowler posted on X: “Feel sick. RIP Ricky Hatton.”
Podcast host James English posted a photo with Hatton, writing: “A true champion inside and outside the ring, Ricky’s grit, passion and courage will never be forgotten.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who admired him during this heartbreaking time. Rest in peace, Ricky. Thank you for the memories.”
Hatton’s stellar career spanned from 1997 to 2012, in which he held multiple world championships.
The grandad recently announced he was going to lace up his gloves again on December 2 for a Dubai dust-up with Eisa Aldah – thirteen years after his ill-fated comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
After his retirement he struggled with alcohol abuse and depression, but got himself back on the straight and narrow three years ago for an exhibition bout with Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera.
He has candidly spoken out about his struggles in the past.
In 2016 he split with Jennifer Dooley, the mother of his daughters Millie and Fearne, after 11 years together.
His 24-year-old son Campbell, from a previous relationship, was also a professional boxer but has since retired.
In 2024, Hatton and old friend Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney appeared on Dancing On Ice together and began dating.
It wasn’t to last with Claire saying: “We’re still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we’re friends again. It’s all good.”
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, he said recently: “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.’
“I’ve always struggled with my mental health and I’ve had my problems.
“And to see where you were a few years ago to what you’re doing now, it’s inspirational.”
Fan favourite Hatton, known as The Hitman, traded blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
He told The Sun recently about his planned comeback: “I think I know what fights I’m capable of doing and I know which fights are beyond me. And this one is one I’m capable of doing. Don’t worry about me.”
He added: “It makes me feel so proud that I was so loved and that people get worried when they hear of me making a comeback. But I’m not as daft as I look.
“I know what fights are beyond me, I know which fights are silly for me, I know which fights I’m capable of and which ones are sensible for me.
“And this is one of them, so I’ll do you proud again.
“The party can’t last forever,” he admitted. “Sooner or later, you’ve got to slow down. And I think I’ve reached that stage.
GettyHatton celebrates after beating Aldo Rios during the WBU Light Welterweight Championship of the World at the MEN Arena on September 27, 2003 in Manchester[/caption]
Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
Ricky Hatton tasted defeat just three times in an illustrious 46 fight career that saw him earn an estimated £37million in prize money. Here are some of his most memorable victories:
Tommy Peacock by TKO – In his 11th fight as a professional Ricky won his first title – the vacant Central Area light-welterweight belt – at Oldham Sports Centre
Jon Thaxton on points – Ricky picked up national honours when he defeated Thaxton for the vacant British light-welterweight strap at Wembley Conference Centre in 2000
Kostya Tsyzu retired – In front of a rapturous home crowd inside Manchester’s MEN Arena, Ricky became a world champion for the first time. He won the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles against the former undisputed champ Tsyzu
Luis Collazo unanimous decision – Just three fights later Ricky added to his title collection, claiming the WBA light-welterweight title stateside by beating tough Collazo over 12 rounds
Paulie Malignaggi TKO – Ricky’s final boxing victory came against loud-mouthed American-Italian fighter Malignaggi in Las Vegas. The Hitman let his fists do the talking and stopped his foe in the 11th round. He earned a cool $2.5million for his night’s work.
Six months later Ricky would taste defeat for a second time, the first being against Floyd Mayweather in 2007, against Phillippino superstar Manny Pacquiao. He suffered a brutal second round knockout and was taken to hospital for a precautionary brain scan.
“But I’m in such a good place mentally, from where I was a few years back, and physically.
“I haven’t got a six pack these days, but, you know, Ricky Hatton‘s belly’s gone.
“So things are all good and it’s nice from how bad it was to what it is now.
“Most people most weeks, say, ‘From where you were, Rick, to what you’re doing now, it’s so inspiring. And that’s half the reason why I do it as well.”
Brought up on a council estate, Ricky left school to work with dad Ray as a £150-a-week carpet fitter before turning pro.
It’s been a rocky road for the boxing champ. Hatton suffered with mental health and addiction problems, especially in retirement.
The beloved Brit produced a career-defining display to defeat Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in 2005, becoming lineal light-welterweight champion in the process.
But two years later he faced Floyd Mayweather Jr, considered one of history’s best pound-for-pound fighters, in Las Vegas – and this went on to define his career.
Part of Hatton’s enduring appeal to British fight fans was that he appeared a man of the people, having the same fun-loving personality as many of his supporters.
Sir David Beckham visited him in his dressing room and Sir Tom Jones belted out God Save The Queen before the fight.
Hatton entered the ring to Blue Moon, the signature tune of his beloved Manchester City.
A measure of Hatton’s stature in that era was when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt consoled him in his dressing room afterwards. It was Ricky’s first loss in 43 professional fights.
The unrelenting physical destruction at the hands of all-time boxing great Mayweather was something Hatton would struggle to emerge from.
However, in November 2008 he was back in Vegas at the MGM Grand to fight Italian-American Paulie Malignaggi.
He asked fellow Mancunians Liam and Noel Gallagher to carry his world title belts into the ring with him.
Hatton called time on his professional career in 2009 with a record of 45 wins and two losses.
Yet, he was plagued by depression over his two ring beatings.
In 2010, he checked into The Priory clinic, in Cheshire.
In November 2012, he sought solace in his beloved boxing ring. A comeback against Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko, who knocked Ricky out in the ninth.
He once again announced his retirement.
AP:Associated PressRicky Hatton celebrates with English rock group Oasis members Noel and Liam Gallagher after defeating Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas, 2008[/caption]
GettyCampbell Hatton and Ricky Hatton during his public workout at the at National Football Museum on October 17, 2024 in Manchester[/caption]
GettyRicky Hatton and Claire Sweeney in 2024[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
