Ricky Hatton, former world boxing champion, dies at 46
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called early in the morning to an address in Hyde, Tameside, where they found the body of a 46-year-old man.
September 14, 2025 09:18 PM IST
First published on: Sep 14, 2025 at 09:18 PM IST
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Ricky Hatton, left, of England, lands a right to the face of Juan Urango, of Colombia, in the fourth round of their IBF Jr. welterweight title boxing match in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007. (AP)
Ricky Hatton, the former world boxing champion and one of Britain’s most recognisable fighters, has died at the age of 46, the Britain’s Press Association reported on Sunday.
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called early in the morning to an address in Hyde, Tameside, where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. “There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances,” the force said in a statement. Police did not name the man but said they were working with the family to release a statement.
Tributes from the boxing world
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Friends and former rivals were quick to pay tribute. “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton,” former world champion Amir Khan wrote on X.
Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.
As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health… pic.twitter.com/JwSaYJe6XE
“Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton may he rip,” former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury posted on Instagram, alongside photos of the pair. “There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this so young.”
Promoter Frank Warren, Hatton’s former manager, said on X that Hatton would “rightly go down as one of the modern greats of this sport”.
I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton.
A superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before due to both his personality and the entertainment he provided in the ring.… pic.twitter.com/hs2paTwLRf
Hatton won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight. He made his name with an upset victory over Kostya Tszyu in 2005 in Manchester to claim the IBF super lightweight belt, which he later described as his greatest win.
He went on to fight some of the biggest names of his era, including Floyd Mayweather in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009. Hatton retired after losing to Pacquiao but returned to the ring in 2012 against Vyacheslav Senchenko, a comeback seen as a personal achievement after years of struggles outside the ring.
‘We train, we sweat, we take hits’
Hatton spoke openly about mental health challenges, including depression and alcohol problems, after stepping away from boxing. “As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind,” Khan wrote on X. “Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human.”
After retiring, Hatton turned to training and guided Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title in 2017. Only two months ago, Hatton had announced plans for another fight in Dubai this December.
Away from the ring, Hatton was a lifelong Manchester City supporter. The club said it would hold a minute of appreciation before Sunday’s derby against Manchester United.
“Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters, who will always be remembered for a glittering boxing career that saw him win world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight,” City said in a statement.
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Ricky Hatton, left, of England, lands a right to the face of Juan Urango, of Colombia, in the fourth round of their IBF Jr. welterweight title boxing match in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007. (AP) 
