World boxing champion Ricky Hatton, 46, found dead at home in Manchester
Ricky Hatton, the former world boxing champion, has died aged 46 – just weeks after announcing a dramatic return to the ring.
The boxing icon was found at his home in Greater Manchester this morning, where a police cordon currently sits outside.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police 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.’
Daily Mail Sport understands that friends were initially concerned last night, when Hatton failed to appear at an event featuring one of his boxers.
After retiring from the ring, he had moved in to coaching but was due to return to the sport with a fight planned in December.
Hatton, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2007, had often spoken of his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.
A huge Manchester City supporter, he was due to be at the Etihad Stadium for this afternoon’s derby with United, and had a table in a corporate hospitality area.
Hatton, an aggressive and brave fighter, held multiple world and UK titles. He had one son, Campbell.
British boxing icon Ricky Hatton has died aged 46
Ricky Hatton fights Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2007
The British boxing icon celebrates after winning the WBA light-welterweight title when he defeated Carlos Maussa
He won 45 of his 48 professional bouts during a stellar 15-year career. Among his career highlights were defeating Russia’s Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, but he also suffered heartbreak when he lost to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
In July, Hatton – who would have turned 47 next month – announced his return to boxing, with a fight against United Arab Emirates’ Eisa Al Dah scheduled for December 2 in Dubai.
Just two days ago, Hatton had shared footage of him training intensely with a punching bag as he readied himself for his return to boxing. He captioned it: ‘Thursday session in the bag. #hitman #bluemoon #getupthereboy.’
Boxers past and present today led tributes to Hatton as they mourned the loss of ‘one of Britain’s greatest boxers’.
Former world champion Amir Khan wrote: ‘Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.’
Olympic boxer Anthony Fowler said: ‘Feel sick. RIP Ricky Hatton.’
Hatton rose through amateur and domestic levels to pit his wits against the best boxers of his generation
But his 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.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.