Former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46. His body was discovered at his home in Manchester on Sunday morning.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed: “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.”
Hatton, affectionately known as “The Hitman,” was one of Britain’s most celebrated fighters, winning 45 of his 48 professional bouts during a glittering 15-year career. He captured world titles in both the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions, with landmark victories over Russia’s Kostya Tszyu and Mexico’s Jose Luis Castillo.
His career also featured high-profile defeats to global icons Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, bouts that nevertheless cemented his status among the sport’s elite.
Hatton’s professional career officially ended in 2012 after a loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester, though he returned for an exhibition fight against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022. Just this July, Hatton had announced plans for another return to the ring in a December bout against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai.
Beyond his accolades in the ring, Hatton was admired for his working-class roots, loyal fanbase, and a fighting style that endeared him to boxing supporters worldwide.
Further details surrounding his death remain under investigation.
