RICKY Hatton’s pals raised concerns after the boxing champion missed a gym session and fight event hours before he was found dead.
The fighter, 46, was found at his home yesterday after pals called police when they had been unable to contact him – just weeks before a comeback bout.
GettyRicky ‘Hitman’ Hatton, pictured during a weigh-in in 2003, was found dead on Sunday[/caption]
GettyHatton was just weeks away from a comeback fight[/caption]
rickyhitmanhatton/InstagramHatton during a sparring session earlier this month[/caption]
It is understood friends were initially worried after The Hitman missed a gym session on Friday and did not show up for a fight event in Bolton on Saturday, featuring one of his young boxers.
They then made a “concern for welfare” call to the police.
Cops discovered Ricky’s body at his £1.75million mansion in Hyde, Gtr Manchester, just before 7am.
Police yesterday said that the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Tributes flooded in from all over the world for fan favourite and working class hero Ricky — one of the biggest personalities in boxing.
Former champ Amir Khan, who is from nearby Bolton and credits pal Ricky as being a major inspiration, said yesterday: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.”
The tragedy came just five days after Ricky sent a heartfelt message to a bullying victim — urging the boy to “keep your chin up”.
He told the youngster, called Louie, to keep going to boxing training to gain confidence.
In the clip, Ricky tells him: “I believe you’ve been having a tough time at school by a couple of bullies. Even I had a bully when I
was at school.
“But you’ve done the right thing taking up the boxing, not so you can get your own back on him and beat him up, but boxing gives you confidence, doesn’t it?
“And the minute these bullies see you’ve got a little bit of confidence, they’ll leave you alone.”
Ricky’s death also comes months after he announced his return to boxing with a fight against Eisa Al Dah planned in Dubai on December 2 — 13 years after an ill-fated comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
Ricky won world titles at both light-welterweight and welterweight and traded blows with some of history’s greatest fighters during a glittering 15-year career.
In his prime, he beat ring greats such as Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, before going on to suffer knockout losses to superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest UK fighters of his generation.
Ricky was awarded an MBE in 2007 and had worked as a boxing promoter and trainer since hanging up his gloves.
The larger than life character also appeared on the TV show Dancing on Ice last year.
But Ricky had always wrestled with his demons, often speaking of his struggles with mental health, alcohol abuse and drug addiction.
PAHatton had missed a gym session and boxing event when friends raised the alarm[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialHatton and Robin Johnstone during Dancing on Ice last year[/caption]
AP:Associated PressHatton celebrates with Noel and Liam Gallagher after defeating Paulie Malignaggi in 2008[/caption]
Back in 2010, the dad of three ended up in rehab after he struggled with retirement following the crushing defeats to Mayweather
and Pacquiao.
He ended up with a spell in the Priory after suffering with depression and going on binge-drinking sessions, while also taking cocaine.
The Stockport-born icon, who was also a grandad, later opened up about making suicide attempts as he became an ambassador for men’s mental health.
Ricky regularly slammed the sport of boxing for not having a support network in place for retired fighters.
Comparing the support ex-boxers get compared to former professional footballers, he said: “It’s like once your time has gone it’s ‘on your way’ and move on to the next champion coming through.”
Two years ago, his brutally honest award-winning Sky documentary Hatton was released charting his illustrious career, his
fractured personal life and his continued mental health battles.
Ricky had a protracted and bitter fallout with his parents, Carol and Ray Hatton, starting in 2009 over money.
It included an altercation with his dad in a car park which resulted in Ray’s arrest and caution for assault.
The estrangement lasted for nine years until 2019, when the family reconciled after Ricky addressed his own problems with depression and addiction.
But the documentary, where his dad Ray was portrayed in a bad light over millions in money disputes, led to the feud re-opening
and they became estranged again.
Mark Robinson – The SunAmir Khan has paid tribute to his mentor and friend Hatton[/caption]
AFP – GettyHatton during his fight against US Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas in 2007[/caption]
PAHatton at the University of Bolton Stadium in Bolton in 2023[/caption]
His mum Carol told how the row had left them devastated.
In 2016 Ricky split with Jennifer Dooley, the mother of his daughters Mille and Fearne, after 11 years together.
His 24-year-old son Campbell, from a previous relationship, was also a professional boxer but retired from the sport in July to become a solar panel installer.
As well as family fall outs, Ricky also overcame a court case with his former trainer Billy Graham to become a successful trainer himself, coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.
Last year, Ricky and Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney appeared on Dancing on Ice together and became close.
The pair, who had known each other for years, were spotted on a series of dates They then enjoyed sun soaked holidays abroad.
He said: “It’s amazing [to find] someone you’ve probably known for 25 years. I’ve been in relationships and she’s been in relationships.
Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
By Jack Figg
Paulie Malignaggi, November 2008
In his first fight since splitting with long-time trainer Billy Graham, Hatton dominated Malignaggi in one of his best displays of boxing.
Coached by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton would earn a 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a horrifying KO loss.
Luis Collazo, June 2007
Hatton dropped the veteran American in the opening seconds of round one and looked on course for a demolition job.
But he was taken to the brink over 12 rounds but held on to victory – earning him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather six months later.
Kostya Tszyu, June 2005
Russian-born Aussie Tszyu was behind only Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings when he travelled to Manchester.
And Hatton pulled off a career-best win to stop Tszyu in the 11th round of what was a brutal war. He became light-welterweight world champ.
Eamonn Magee, June 2002
Hatton was dropped by the Irishman and looked to be on the brink of defeat.
But he got to his feet and rallied back to win over 12 rounds – showcasing his trademark grit and determination.
Jon Thaxton, October 2000
Hatton had to overcome a nasty cut – not for the first time in his career – to edge out a points win.
It won him the British light-welterweight title.
“I’ve had my kids and she’s had her kids. And then 25 years later we found each other. It’s quite a nice story.”
But it did not last, with former Brookside actress Claire later saying: “We’re still friends, we were friends, we dated and now we’re friends again. It’s all good.”
Yesterday, flowers and tributes were left outside his home by distraught friends and fans.
One card read: “I was an alcoholic for five years and Ricky gave me some advice on how to stop and I have not drunk for five
years.
“He was a good guy. A proper local lad. I used to see him out running and in the pub.
“He was hard as nails both in and out of the ring, we all know that, but not in a bad way.
“He was just a normal guy. You wouldn’t have thought he was a professional boxer, who had millions in the bank.”
Another tribute said: “Ricky, just so many good memories with you! Thank you for always being there, Jen.”
It continued: “We can’t gather our thoughts at present, so we are not sure what to write.
“Devastated is the only thing that comes to mind. Thank you for being the beautiful soul you are.
“Our thoughts are with your family. Dave, Jen, Lexi and Henry.”
And one read: “Absolutely devastated. You’ll be sadly missed.”
And fan Stephen Billing, 46, left a Manchester City scarf with “RIP Ricky” written on it.
IF you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call NHS 111 at any time. Lines are open 24 hours a day. Or call Samaritans on 116 123 which is also available 24/7.
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