Former world champion discovered at Greater Manchester home as tributes pour in from sporting world
British boxing icon Ricky Hatton has been found dead at the age of 46, police have confirmed.
The legendary Stockport-born fighter was discovered at his home in Gee Cross, Hyde, Greater Manchester, early on Sunday morning. A police cordon remains in place at the property on Bowlacre Road.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the discovery in a statement: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
The force added: “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. We are not currently confirming the identity of the dead man but are working with his family to provide a tribute for the media.
Planned Boxing Comeback
The shocking news comes just months after Hatton announced his return to boxing at the age of 46. In July this year, the former champion revealed plans to fight 46-year-old Eisa Al Dah in Dubai on December 2nd, ending a 13-year retirement from professional boxing.
Speaking about his comeback at the time, Hatton had said: “I’m very much looking forward to it myself. What you’re trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic. Hopefully this will be a spinoff for more events for you to have over there and hopefully we can get the ball rolling with a bang.”
His last professional fight had been in November 2012, when he suffered a ninth-round knockout defeat to Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester. The loss, which came via a body shot – the type of punch that had been Hatton’s signature weapon – prompted him to announce his retirement immediately afterwards.
“I needed one more fight to see if I had still got it – and I haven’t. I found out tonight it isn’t there no more,” he had said at the time.
Illustrious Career
Known as “The Hitman” and later affectionately dubbed “The Hurricane”, Hatton held multiple world championships during a professional career that spanned from 1997 to 2012. He was named Fighter of the Year in 2005 by The Ring magazine, the Boxing Writers Association of America, and ESPN.
The Manchester fighter captured the IBF light-welterweight title in 2005 with a stunning victory over Kostya Tszyu, followed by the WBA (Super) title later that year when he defeated Carlos Maussa. At welterweight, he famously challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, though he lost both encounters by knockout.
His professional record stood at 45 wins and 3 losses, with 32 victories coming by way of knockout – a 71% knockout ratio that underscored his devastating punching power, particularly his legendary body shots.
Hatton was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024, cementing his legacy as one of Britain’s greatest ever fighters.
Manchester City Devotee
A passionate Manchester City supporter, Hatton’s ring walks to the tune of “Blue Moon” became legendary, with thousands of British fans travelling across the Atlantic to support him during his biggest fights in Las Vegas. His father and grandfather had both played football for Rochdale, and young Ricky had trials for the youth team before choosing boxing.
The fighter lived in Gee Cross, often described as the “posh bit of Hyde”, where he was a familiar face in the community. Local residents would regularly spot him at The Village Bakery or training at local gyms, and he participated in charity events in the area.
Mental Health Struggles
Hatton had been open about his battles with mental health and substance abuse issues following his retirement. In 2010, he was admitted to The Priory rehabilitation facility in London to tackle depression and alcohol problems after being photographed allegedly using cocaine.
The fighter had spoken candidly about the difficulties of adjusting to life after boxing, and the toll that his dramatic weight fluctuations between fights – sometimes gaining up to 40 pounds – had taken on his physical and mental wellbeing.
Tributes Pour In
Bolton-born boxer Amir Khan led the tributes, describing Hatton as a “friend”, a “mentor” and a “warrior”.
Khan said: “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.”
Family Life
Hatton would have turned 47 in October. He is survived by his son Campbell, who followed in his father’s footsteps as a professional boxer before retiring earlier this year at age 24. Ricky had recently become Campbell’s trainer and supported his decision to step away from the sport to become a solar panel installer.
His brother Matthew Hatton also had a successful boxing career, holding the European welterweight title in 2010-2011.
Hatton had remained active in boxing as a promoter and trainer through Hatton Promotions, and had developed the Hatton Academy to teach boxing fitness courses. Just weeks ago, he had been scheduled to appear at events in Bristol and Wigan for evening speaking engagements with fans.
The British sporting icon’s death marks a tragic loss for boxing and the wider sporting community. His legacy as one of Britain’s most beloved and successful fighters, combined with his honest discussions about mental health challenges, touched millions of fans worldwide.
His fearless fighting style, combined with his down-to-earth personality and connection to his Manchester roots, made him one of the most popular British boxers of all time. The images of thousands of British fans singing “Walking in a Hatton Wonderland” in Las Vegas will forever remain part of boxing folklore.
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Image Credit:
Ricky Hatton, 2009 — photo by SamboD, licensed CC BY 2.0
