Ricky Hatton dies aged 46 – tributes pour in for former world champion boxer
Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde. Greater Manchester Police said they are not treating the death as suspicious.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.”Hatton won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight and his all-action style made him one of the most popular fighters in the first decade of the new century.He rose through amateur and domestic levels to pit his wits against the best boxers of his generation including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.Hatton’s down-to-earth demeanour also endeared him to fans across the world, and he was open about the mental health issues he endured upon his retirement from the ring.He overcame a fallout with his family and a court case with his former trainer Billy Graham to become a successful trainer, coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.Today's News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, September 14Hatton announced in July that he would make a return to boxing in December in a professional bout against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai.After a brief but impressive amateur career, Hatton began his journey to becoming one of the most popular British boxers in history with a victory over Colin McAuley in Widnes in 1997.After 21 straight wins he stepped up to beat Jon Thaxton for the British light-welterweight title at Wembley Conference Centre in 2000, and proceeded to make Manchester’s then MEN Arena his own with a series of sell-out defences of his WBU light-welterweight crown.Hatton’s big breakthrough came in June 2005 when he forced defending champion Kostya Tszyu to retire on his stool at the end of their IBF title fight at his home city arena.His American debut came the following year with a points win over Luis Collazo in Boston, but bigger sights had already been set and the manner of his victory over Mexican great Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas in June 2007 stamped his ticket to greatness.FILE PHOTO: Ricky Hatton during his fight against Marco Antonio Barrera, AO Arena, Manchester, Britain - November 12, 2022. Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough/File PhotoIncreasingly loved by audiences for his fighting style and the hordes of boisterous fans who followed in his wake, Hatton landed a lucrative clash with Floyd Mayweather later that same year and fought bravely before succumbing to his first professional defeat.Hatton lost little else due to the manner of his loss, and further big fights awaited him, but a subsequent meeting with Manny Pacquiao proved a step too far, and he announced his retirement after a brutal second-round loss.Hatton struggled with retirement, returning briefly for an ill-advised loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko at his beloved home city arena after three years out of the ring in 2012. He also fought a non-scoring exhibition against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022.Hatton was a “modern great” who deserves his place among the best of boxing history, according to his former promoter Frank Warren.Warren, who managed Hatton’s career from his professional debut in 1997 up to his historic world title win over Kostya Tszyu in 2005, spoke as news of the 46-year-old's death was confirmed.Warren wrote on X: “I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton.“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 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.”Amir Khan, another former world champion and a friend of Hatton, described him as a “mentor, warrior and one of Britain’s greatest boxers”.Writing on X, Khan said: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.”Over recent years Hatton had been open about his struggles with mental health, and Khan added: “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.”Britain's former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury paid tribute.Alongside two pictures of him with Hatton, Fury wrote on Instagram: “Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he rip. There will only ever be 1 Ricky hatton. can't believe this so young.”Anthony Joshua wrote: “RIP Hitman. One of the best to do it. Our British hero”, while Chris Eubank Jr added: “Rest in Peace Mr Ricky Hatton. We salute you.”Matchroom Boxing said: “(We are) saddened to hear the news of Ricky Hatton’s passing. Our thoughts and condolences are with Ricky’s friends and family at this tragic time. There’s only one Ricky Hatton.”British Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell said Hatton was an “inspiration to him” and a “legend in the world of boxing”.Hatton was synonymous with his beloved Manchester City and the news of his death came ahead of the Manchester derby.City said they were “devastated” and called him one of the club’s “most loved and revered supporters”.They confirmed there would be a minute’s appreciation for Hatton ahead of the match against United.The club said in a statement: “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.“Everyone at the club would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”Former City captain Vincent Kompany posted a picture on X showing himself, Liam Gallagher and Hatton, alongside the words: “We’ll miss you Ricky. Our thoughts are with the family and friends. Rest in piece legend.”Ex-Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney also shared an image of himself with Hatton on X, and wrote: “Devastated. A legend, a warrior, and a great person. Thoughts are with all Ricky’s family.”And 16-time former world darts champion Phil Taylor posted: “Absolutely devastating news about the passing of my mate @HitmanHatton Thoughts go out to all of his family at this horrible time. RIP my friend.”Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-City defender and broadcaster Micah Richards said: “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 - I remember going down to one of his gyms and I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know about boxing and he said ‘just do this’ and he took his time.“For him to take the time and effort, I've been multiple times for beers with him just talking about football and life. To get this news now is just surreal.”United great Roy Keane added that Hatton was a “warrior” and said: “We know how tough that sport is but my god, he gave everything for that sport. He left everything in that ring, it’s absolutely shocking news.”
