Ricky Hatton, the former world champion boxer known as 'The Hitman', has been found dead at his home in Gee Cross, Greater Manchester, at the age of 46. Greater Manchester Police confirmed they discovered a body at an address at 6:45am on Sunday, September 14, and said the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Just hours before his death, Hatton posted a video on Instagram showing him training for a planned comeback fight. In the post, he wrote: 'Thursday session in the bag.' The video attracted numerous encouraging comments, with fans calling him the 'people's champ' and praising him as an inspiration for returning to the ring after struggling with mental health issues.
Hatton, who held an MBE, had a distinguished career spanning 15 years from 1997 to 2012, winning multiple world championships. He famously defeated Kostya Tszyu in 2005 to become the lineal light-welterweight champion, and later fought Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas. After retiring, he battled depression and alcohol abuse, but got sober three years ago ahead of an exhibition fight with Marco Antonio Barrera.
Recently, Hatton had announced a comeback fight against Eisa Aldah in Dubai. In an interview with The Sun, he said: 'I think I know what fights I'm capable of doing and I know which fights are beyond me. And this one is one I'm capable of doing. Don't worry about me.' He added that he was in a good place mentally and physically, saying: 'The party can't last forever. Sooner or later, you've got to slow down. And I think I've reached that stage.'
Hatton's love for Oasis was well-known; he had Noel and Liam Gallagher walk him into the ring for his 2008 fight, and he later attended their reunion concerts, which he reportedly saw as an inspiration. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the boxing community and fans worldwide.
