Today (September 14), British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has passed away at the age of 46. The boxer who was born in Stockport and grew up in Hyde, Greater Manchester, won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight.
Nicknamed ‘the Hitman’, Ricky Hatton competed as a boxer between the years 1997 and 2012. Hatton most famously became a world champion in 2005 after defeating Kostya Tszyu. The boxer matched up with some of the biggest names of his generation in the ring, including Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.
Hatton was found at his home in Hyde this Sunday, and his passing was confirmed by the Greater Manchester Police.
A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am today, where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Hatton, who won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across 15 years, last fought professionally in 2012. However, this July, Ricky Hatton announced that he would be coming out of retirement at the age of 46 and was set to fight against 46-year-old Eisa Al Dah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this December.
Tributes to boxing legend Ricky Hatton
Tributes to the Mancunian legend have been flooding in, including one from former world champion Amir Khan, saying: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior.”
Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury wrote on Instagram: “RIP to the legend Ricky Hatton. There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this – so young.”
Ricky Hatton was an avid supporter of Manchester City, and his entrance music was Blue Moon, the football club’s anthem. The club held a “minute of appreciation” for Hatton at today’s derby against Manchester United, where the Blues went on to defeat the Reds 3-0.
