Sports
PHOTOS: Boxing Champ Ricky Hatton dead at 46, months before scheduled comeback
British boxing legend, Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a body was found at an address in Hyde, near Manchester, early Sunday morning. “The death is not being treated as suspicious,” a police spokesperson said.
Hatton, nicknamed The Hitman, was a former world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight. He retired in 2012 with an impressive record of 45 wins from 48 fights. Known for his relentless pressure style and loyal fan base, Hatton was one of Britain’s most popular fighters of his era.
At the peak of his career, Hatton famously stopped Australian great Kostya Tszyu in 2005 to claim the IBF light-welterweight title, a performance many considered his finest. He went on to fight some of the sport’s biggest names, including Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hatton began his career with a perfect 43-0 record before suffering his first defeat to Mayweather in 2007.
Outside the ring, Hatton openly battled mental health struggles, substance abuse, and depression. In interviews, he admitted to multiple suicide attempts and described his lifestyle after boxing as “a runaway train” fueled by alcohol and drugs.
Despite these challenges, Hatton had announced earlier this year that he planned a comeback fight in Dubai in late 2025. He had recently posted training videos on Instagram, sparking excitement among fans for his return.
Tributes are already pouring in from across the boxing world. Manny Pacquiao, who fought Hatton in 2009, described him as “a warrior in the ring and a gentleman outside of it.” Promoter Frank Warren called him “a true British great who inspired a generation.”
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