Ricky Hatton, a two-division world champion and one of England’s most popular fighters ever, was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester in England. Greater Manchester Police confirmed they found a body after getting called into Hatton’s residence. The Stockport-born former fighter was 46.
Greater Manchester Police also announced they are ruling out foul play after finding the deceased Hatton at Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 14 (England time).
“Officers 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. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances,” said a spokesperson from the Greater Manchester Police.
Boxing Glory and the Turbulent Times of Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton turned pro in 1997 and skyrocketed to boxing fame after winning his first 43 fights and winning titles at light welterweight along the way. He then stepped up a weight class to welterweight in 2007 for a superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.—only to suffer the first loss of his career.
Hatton next went back to 140 and recorded wins over the highly regarded Juan Lazcano and fellow British boxer Paulie Malignaggi to set up a big money fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2009. Hatton got knocked out cold by Pacquiao, who was then establishing himself as one of boxing’s best.
The artist known as “The Hitman” then took a three-year hiatus from boxing at the age of 31. This premature retirement proved turbulent for Hatton, who struggled with his weight, fell into substance and alcohol abuse, and suffered from bouts of depression. Hatton would later on attempt a comeback in 2012 against Ukrainian fighter Vyacheslav Senchenko but was knocked out in the ninth round. Hatton retired from boxing immediately after the devastating loss.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year.
A Comeback in the Works
Even at 46, Hatton was still plotting a comeback, with his return fight announced in July of this year. He was supposed to take on the United Arab Emirates’ Eisa Al Dah (8-3, 4 KOs) in a middleweight contest on December 2 in Dubai. And from all indications, Ricky Hatton was taking his comeback seriously, looking lean and spry in training videos he had posted on Instagram in the days before his death.
Ricky Hatton is survived by his son, Campbell, who is also pursuing a boxing career like his father.
