Ricky "Hitman" Hatton, British Boxing Icon, Passes Away at 46.

The boxing world is in mourning following the death of Ricky "Hitman" Hatton, the former light welterweight and welterweight world champion, who has died at the age of 46. Hatton, a beloved figure in British sport, was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday morning.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the news in a statement released to the BBC, stating: "Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances."

Hatton’s passing comes as a shock to the boxing community, particularly as he had been reportedly preparing for a return to the ring in December, participating in an exhibition bout in Dubai.

Born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, on October 6, 1978, Ricky Hatton rose to prominence in the early 2000s, capturing the hearts of British boxing fans with his aggressive, all-action style and unwavering determination. He turned professional in 1997 and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the light welterweight division.

Hatton’s career was defined by a relentless, pressure-fighting approach, characterized by devastating body shots and a high work rate. His relatively short stature of 5-foot-6 belied his immense power, which saw him knock out over 70% of his opponents during his professional career.

The "Hitman" built a formidable record, amassing 43 consecutive victories before suffering his first professional defeat against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007. The fight, held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, was for Hatton’s WBC light welterweight title and Mayweather’s The Ring welterweight title. Despite a valiant effort, Hatton was stopped in the tenth round by the technically superior Mayweather.

Prior to the Mayweather fight, Hatton had enjoyed a stellar run, capturing the IBF light welterweight title in 2005 with a stunning victory over the legendary Kostya Tszyu. The fight, held at the MEN Arena in Manchester, saw Hatton relentlessly pressure Tszyu, eventually forcing the Australian to retire on his stool after the eleventh round. This victory not only secured Hatton the IBF and The Ring titles but also cemented his status as one of the world’s leading light welterweights.

Following the Tszyu triumph, Hatton unified the light welterweight division by defeating WBA champion Carlos Maussa in November 2005. He then moved up to welterweight, where he defeated Luis Collazo in 2006 to win the WBA title. However, he later relinquished the title to focus on the light welterweight division.

In addition to his loss to Mayweather, Hatton suffered a second career defeat against Manny Pacquiao in May 2009. The fight, held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, saw Pacquiao dominate from the opening bell, knocking Hatton down twice in the first round before finishing him off in the second.

Hatton’s final professional fight came in November 2012, when he faced Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester. Hatton lost the fight by TKO in the ninth round and subsequently announced his retirement from boxing. He concluded his professional career with a record of 45 wins and 3 losses.

Throughout his career, Hatton was known for his close connection with his fans. He cultivated a working-class image, often sporting a Manchester City football shirt and frequenting local pubs. His popularity transcended the sport of boxing, making him a national icon.

Hatton’s battles with depression and substance abuse were well-documented. He openly spoke about his struggles after retiring from boxing, seeking help and raising awareness about mental health issues in sport.

In retirement, Hatton remained involved in boxing, working as a trainer and manager. He trained a number of professional fighters, including his younger brother, Matthew Hatton. He also worked closely with Tyson Fury, assisting in his training camps and offering guidance. Most recently, Hatton was in the corner of Fury’s fight with Deontay Wilder in 2018 and worked closely with Fury’s younger brother, Tommy Fury. Hatton helped coach Chloe Watson to a unanimous decision win over Justine Lallemand to win the European female flyweight title in December 2023.

Tributes have poured in from across the boxing world and beyond, with many expressing their shock and sadness at Hatton’s passing.

Tyson Fury, the current WBC heavyweight champion, posted a message on Instagram, saying: "Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton may he rip. There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this so young."

Frank Warren, Hatton’s former promoter, said: "I’m just absolutely devastated. Ricky was a terrific fighter and a great character. He was a real people’s champion."

Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Boxing, tweeted: "So sad to hear the news about Ricky Hatton. A true legend of British boxing. Rest in peace."

The death of Ricky Hatton marks a profound loss for the sport of boxing and for the countless fans who admired his courage, determination, and unwavering spirit. He will be remembered as one of Britain’s greatest boxing champions and a true icon of the sport.

Further details surrounding Hatton’s death are yet to be released, and the boxing community awaits updates from the authorities. His legacy, however, remains firmly etched in the annals of boxing history.