Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has died aged 46.
During his career between 1997 and 2012, the British fighter – who known as “The Hitman” – won titles in the light welterweight and welterweight divisions.
Read more: Tributes being paid to former boxing world champion
In July this year, he said he was coming out of retirement for a December bout in Dubai, 13 years on from his last professional match.
The Manchester boxer was set to fight Eisa Al Dah on 2 December.
In 2023, Sky broadcast a documentary exploring the boxer’s life in the ring, his fractured personal life and his continuing mental health battles.
Greater Manchester Police said on Sunday: “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.”
Sky News Sport Correspondent Rob Harris called Hatton “one of the great personalities of British boxing,” crediting him with “galvanising the sport”.
He said: “As he would travel around the world, winning fights, he would bring that huge fan base with him… To have the career he had, with 45 victories and three defeats, was impressive.”
Image:
Hatton in his last professional fight against Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012. Pic: Reuters
During his 15-year professional career, Hatton held multiple world championships at light-welterweight and one at welterweight class.
In his prime, Hatton secured victories over the likes of Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, before going on to suffer brutal knockout losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
Hatton last fought professionally in November 2012, suffering a knockout loss to Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Senchenko.
He once more returned to the ring for an exhibition bout with Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
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