{"id":227314,"date":"2025-09-14T23:30:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T23:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/227314\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T23:30:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T23:30:09","slug":"ricky-hatton-former-world-boxing-champion-dies-at-46","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/227314\/","title":{"rendered":"Ricky Hatton, former world boxing champion, dies at 46"},"content":{"rendered":"

MANCHESTER, England (AP) \u2014 Ricky Hatton, the former boxing world champion<\/a> who rose to become one of the most popular fighters in the sport, has died. He was 46.<\/p>\n

Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester, Britain\u2019s Press Association reported Sunday.<\/p>\n

Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious.<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 a.m. today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man,\u201d Greater Manchester Police said in a statement. \u201cThere are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Friends of Hatton were quick to pay tribute Sunday morning. <\/p>\n

\u201cToday we lost not only one of Britain\u2019s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton,\u201d former world champion, Amir Khan, posted on X.<\/p>\n

\u201cRip to the legend Ricky Hatton may he rip,\u201d former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury said in an Instagram post<\/a>, with photos of the pair together. \u201cThere will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. can\u2019t believe this so young.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a poignant post, his brother Matthew Hatton said \u201cI love you Richard\u201d<\/a> on X along with photos of the brothers.<\/p>\n

News of Hatton\u2019s death comes two months after the surprise announcement he would make a return to boxing in December in a professional bout against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai. <\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t fought since losing for the third time in his career, against Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012.<\/p>\n

Pacquiao\u2019s tribute<\/p>\n

Hatton won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight and at the height of his career shared the ring with the best boxers of his generation including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life,\u201d Pacquiao posted on X. \u201cRicky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey.\u201d <\/p>\n

Hatton rose through amateur and domestic levels, building up an army of passionate fans that followed him to America for his biggest fights. <\/p>\n

His down-to-earth charm, as well as his tendency to dramatically gain and lose weight between fights, endeared him to fans across the world. <\/p>\n

\u201cDevastated. A legend, a warrior, and a great person,\u201d said former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney on X.<\/p>\n

Hatton was open about the mental health issues he endured upon his retirement from the ring.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs fighters, we tell ourselves we\u2019re strong \u2014 we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind,\u201d Khan added on X. \u201cMental health isn\u2019t weakness. It\u2019s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Top of the sport<\/p>\n

Hatton\u2019s all-action style added to his popularity. He built up a passionate following in the UK before truly announcing himself on the world stage with his epic victory against Tszyu for the IBF world super lightweight (light welterweight) title in 2005.<\/p>\n

Pound for pound great Tszyu had only lost twice before, but was forced to retire on his stool in front of 22,000 fans in Manchester. <\/p>\n

Hatton later described it as his greatest win but it was just the start of a period when he fought at the top of the sport, with thousands of fans following him to America for huge fights.<\/p>\n

In a post on X, his former manager, Frank Warren, described him as a \u201csuperbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before,\u201d adding he will \u201crightly go down as one of the modern greats of this sport.\u201d <\/p>\n

Hatton lost for the first time in his career against Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2007. <\/p>\n

After a sold out homecoming at Manchester City\u2019s stadium a year later, he worked his way back to the top of the sport to take on Manny Pacquiao in 2009, losing inside two rounds. <\/p>\n

Hatton retired after that defeat, but made a remarkable comeback four years later after piling on weight and enduring issues with depression and drinking, as well as allegations of drug use.<\/p>\n

While he lost to Senchenko, the very fact he managed to return to the ring was seen as a personal triumph. <\/p>\n

The British Boxing Board of Control said it was \u201cvery saddened\u201d to hear of his passing.<\/p>\n

Man City fan<\/p>\n

Outside of the ring, Hatton was a lifelong fan of Manchester City.<\/p>\n

The Premier League club had a minute\u2019s appreciation for Hatton at Sunday\u2019s derby against Manchester United.<\/a> Before kickoff at the Etihad Stadium, fans from both teams rose to applaud Hatton in a show of unity and affection for the boxer.<\/p>\n

\u201cRicky was one of City\u2019s most loved and revered supporters, who will always be remembered for a glittering boxing career that saw him win world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight,\u201d City said in a statement. \u201cEveryone at the Club would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The announcement of Hatton\u2019s return to the ring later this year came after he had enjoyed success as a trainer, coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP boxing: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/boxing<\/a><\/p>\n