Ricky Hatton's last social media post before his death showed him training for a planned comeback fight. The 46-year-old former world champion boxer posted a video on Instagram with the caption 'Thursday session in the bag', receiving supportive comments calling him the 'people's champ' and a 'huge inspiration' for his mental health journey.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they found a body at an address in Gee Cross at 6:45am on Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious. Hatton, known as 'The Hitman', won four world titles and held an MBE before retiring in 2012.
After retiring, Hatton struggled with depression and alcohol abuse, but got sober three years ago. He recently announced a comeback fight against Eisa Aldah in Dubai, saying he was 'in such a good place mentally' and that his belly had gone. He told The Sun: 'I know what fights are beyond me, I know which fights are silly for me, I know which fights I'm capable of.'
Hatton's career spanned 15 years from 1997 to 2012, with 45 wins and two losses. His defining fight was against Kostya Tszyu in 2005, winning the light-welterweight title. He later fought Floyd Mayweather Jr and Paulie Malignaggi. After a failed comeback in 2012, he retired permanently.
