POLICE have issued a statement today following the death of world champion boxer Ricky Hatton.
The 46-year-old was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of this morning.
SplashRicky Hatton, 46, was found dead at his home this morning[/caption]
AFP – GettyThe boxing legend had announced a comeback bout for December this year[/caption]
PAPolice have said they do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Ricky’s death[/caption]
Police said they were called by a member of the public to attend the scene at 6.45am today, where they “found the body of a 46-year-old man.”
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding Ricky’s death.
The full GMP statement read: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend an address in Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man.
“There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Fan favourite Ricky, known as The Hitman, won four world titles after trading blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
Ricky, 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”.
“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.”
Ricky’s stellar career spanned from 1997 to 2012, in which he held multiple world championships.
COMEBACK BOUT DUE IN JUST MONTHS
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, is also a professional boxer.
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, where Ricky spoke about how he was inspired by his weight loss to re-enter the ring, 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.’
“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.”
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