Former professional boxer Ricky Hatton has passed away.
As the boxing community reflects on a historic night for the sport in Las Vegas, where Terence Crawford defeated Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed super middleweight champion, tragic news has broken.
Hatton, an English boxer who held multiple championships during his illustrious career, has died aged 46. His death was confirmed by Greater Manchester Police, who are not treating it as suspicious.
Tributes have quickly poured in for the boxing icon, who shared the ring with the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, and is widely regarded as one of the most beloved British boxers in history.
British boxing icon Ricky Hatton found dead at 46
Hatton was discovered dead at his Manchester home Sunday morning. Hatton held an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to boxing and had worked as both a promoter and coach since retiring in 2012.
“We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14,” a police spokesperson said. “The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Hatton had been open about his struggles with alcohol abuse and depression before fighting through his mental health problems and making a boxing comeback in 2022.
Hatton’s last pro win came in 2008, when ‘The Hitman’ knocked out Pauli Malignaggi to retain the IBO and The Ring light-welterweight titles.
That result was followed by Hatton’s defeat to Pacquiao before a KO setback against Vyacheslav Senchenko saw the Briton hang up the gloves.
Among the best results of the late fan favorite’s career came in 2005, when Hatton pulled off a huge title upset against Kostya Tszyu on home soil.
Ricky Hatton’s boxing comeback was scheduled for December 2025
The tragic news of Hatton’s passing comes just over two months after his boxing comeback was announced.
Having not competed professionally since the loss to Senchenko in 2012, the multi-time light welterweight champion was scheduled to face the United Arab Emirates’ Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight bout on December 2 in Dubai.
Hatton previously returned from retirement for an exhibition match against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022.