UK boxer Ricky Hatton dies at 46 after comeback announcement
September 14, 2025
Former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46, police in the northern English city of Manchester confirmed on Sunday.
Officers said there were no indications of foul play after Hatton was found at his home early in the morning.
Who was Ricky Hatton?
Nicknamed "The Hitman," Hatton was one of Britain's most celebrated fighters. Turning professional in 1997, he became known for an aggressive style which led him to multiple world titles at light-welterweight and one at welterweight.
He compiled a proud 43-0 record with signature wins over fighters like Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo before high-profile defeats to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Hatton retired in 2009 but briefly returned in 2012, losing to Ukrainian fighter Vyacheslav Senchenko.
He later became a respected trainer, guiding Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight crown in 2017, and even fought a non-scoring exhibition against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022. In July, he announced plans for a professional boxing comeback in Dubai this December.
Who paid tribute to Ricky Hatton?
The Manchester native was candid about his battles with depression and other mental-health issues after leaving the ring. Fellow fighters noted that openness as part of his legacy. Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury wrote on Instagram: "Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton, may he rip. There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton."
Fellow boxer Amir Khan called him a "mentor, warrior and one of Britain's greatest boxers," adding that "sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind."
Hatton's former promoter Frank Warren hailed him as a "modern great" who inspired a generation of boxers and fans.
Manchester City, Hatton's beloved football club, said they were "devastated," promising a minute of appreciation before Sunday's derby match with Manchester United. Organizers of the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool also pledged a tribute.
Hatton's death comes just two months after his surprise comeback announcement.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic