British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has died at the age 46 after being found at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester.
Hatton, who held multiple world championships in the light-welterweight division, as well as one at welterweight during a storied boxing career was one of the most iconic and popular British boxers of all time.
A police cordon is in place around his home and Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a body had been found at Hatton’s address and that the death was not being treated as suspicious.
The Stockport-born star was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine in 2015 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.
He was first crowned world champion when he stunned Kosta Tszyu on an iconic night in 2005 and went on to be involved in two of the biggest bouts involving a British fighter in the 21st century when he faced Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Although he lost both fights, he was beloved by a raucous fanbase who travelled thousands of miles to watch him fight due to his bravery in the ring, all-action style and down-to-earth persona.
He hung up his gloves after the KO defeat to Pacquiao but returned three-and-a-half years later when he lost to Vyachslav Senchenko in 2022.
The news of his death comes months after Hatton announced another return to boxing with a fight planned in December, against the UAE’s first-ever professional boxer Eisa Al Dah.
He had previously spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.
A police spokesperson said: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, 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.”
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Fellow British boxing icon Amir Khan paid tribute to Hatton on social media, paying particular attention to his mental health struggles. Khan said saying: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.
“As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.
“Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding. Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”
Hatton had a perfect 43-0 record before he took on Mayweather in Las Vegas on huge night for British boxing in 2007. In fact, the fight was billed as one of the biggest fights in boxing history and had a explosive build-up with both men comfortable on the mic and trash-talking each other ahead of the clash.
Ultimately, it was Hatton’s unbeaten record that went on the night as pound-for-pound king Mayweather claimed an impressive victory, stopping the valiant Brit in the 10th round.
More to follow…
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