LONDON (BN24) — Ricky Hatton, the former British world champion whose fearless fighting style made him one of the most popular boxers of his generation, has died at the age of 46, the BBC reported Sunday.
Police in Greater Manchester said a body was discovered Sunday morning at an address in Hyde, the northern English town where Hatton lived. In a statement, authorities confirmed that the death was “not being treated as suspicious.”
Hatton, who captured world titles at both light-welterweight and welterweight, retired in 2012 after a celebrated career that left him among Britain’s most beloved fighters. He had been scheduled to make a comeback appearance at an event in Dubai later this year.
Known as “The Hitman,” Hatton compiled 45 wins in 48 professional bouts, with 32 victories coming by knockout. His career peak came in 2005 when he stunned Australian champion Kostya Tszyu, stopping him in the 11th round to claim the IBF light-welterweight title and cement his reputation as one of boxing’s elite.
Hatton entered the ring with a perfect 43-0 record before suffering his first defeat against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas in 2007. Although he fought again, including a loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2009, he never fully regained his previous dominance.
Beyond the ring, Hatton was candid about his personal struggles. In the years following retirement, he spoke openly about his battles with depression, alcoholism, and drug use. In a 2016 BBC interview, he revealed that he had attempted suicide multiple times. “I was coming off the rails with my drinking and that led to drugs,” he said at the time. “It was like a runaway train.”
Despite those challenges, Hatton remained a revered figure in British boxing, training fighters and maintaining a devoted fan base who celebrated his down-to-earth personality as much as his ferocity in the ring.
