Former world champion Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.
Nicknamed ‘the Hitman’, he won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight and was one of Britain’s most popular fighters.
His body was found at his home in Manchester on Sunday.
A Greater Manchester 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.”
Hatton, who won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across an esteemed 15-year career, last fought professionally in 2012.
“Ricky was one of a kind,” wrote former Manchester United and England midfielder David Beckham on Instagram. “Just heartbreaking.”
Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury wrote on Instagram: “RIP to the legend Ricky Hatton.
“There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this – so young.”
Hatton was a well-known Manchester City fan and a minute’s appreciation – applause, cheers and songs – was held before Sunday’s Premier League match against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium.
City manager Pep Guardiola said Hatton was a “true champion” and “part of the Man City family”.
Former England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney, who carried Hatton’s belts into the ring before a fight with Jose Luis Castillo in 2007, said on X he was “devastated” and Hatton was a “a legend, a warrior and a great person”.
Hatton earned notable world title wins over Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, before defeats by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
He inspired a devoted following during his glittering career.
More than 30,000 fans travelled to Las Vegas for Hatton’s title fight with Mayweather in 2007, and a chorus of “there’s only one Ricky Hatton” echoed around the MGM Grand even after he was stopped.
Those same chants were heard in his final professional fight in his home city of Manchester five years later.
In July Hatton announced his return to the ring. He was due to fight Eisa Al Dah at middleweight on 2 December in Dubai.
Organisers said the contest would be a professional bout, but it was unclear whether it would be fully sanctioned.
Hatton made an unsuccessful professional comeback in 2012, when he lost to Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester, and fought Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition in 2022.
After agreeing to fight former rival turned friend Barrera, Hatton spoke about his battles with depression.
In 2023 he was the subject of a documentary ‘Hatton’, in which he discussed his personal life and mental health issues.
Former light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan wrote on X: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior.
“Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”
IBO world middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr said: “Rest in Peace Mr Ricky Hatton. We salute you”.
The World Boxing Association said Hatton’s legacy would “live on in every fight and in the hearts of boxing fans around the world”, describing him as a “true champion, an indomitable spirit and a legend of the sport”.
Frank Warren was Hatton’s promoter from his professional debut in 1997 to his world title victory over Tszyu in 2005.
He wrote on X: “A superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before, due to both his personality and the entertainment he provided in the ring.
“From making his debut in Widnes in 1997 to then go on to win one of the most historic fights in British boxing history against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester, Ricky will rightly go down as one of the modern greats of this sport.”
A Manchester City club statement read: “Hatton wore sky blue shorts and used ‘Blue Moon’ as his walkout song throughout his career. Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters. He will always be remembered.”
Guardiola told Sky Sports: “It was tough to wake up [to the news]. He had the success and was a world champion, but it is the loss for his family, his kids – he was a grandad. So on behalf of Man City we wish them all comfort in these incredibly tough hours, tough days, tough weeks.”
Former City defender Micah Richards told Sky Sports: “The news is devastating. He’s such a British icon – a true Man City fan – but most importantly he was a man of the people. He was the nicest guy ever.”
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane described Hatton as a warrior, adding: “He gave everything for that sport. He left everything in that ring.” BBC