Manchester City to honour Ricky Hatton at derby after boxer's death at 46
Players will wear black armbands and a minute's applause will be held at the Etihad Stadium after Hatton was found dead at his home; Greater Manchester Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Manchester City will honour former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton ahead of the Manchester derby after the 46-year-old was found dead at his home on Sunday morning.
Players from both Manchester City and Manchester United will wear black armbands for the fixture at the Etihad Stadium and a minute's applause is scheduled before kick-off, the club said. Hatton, a long-time and high-profile City supporter who had planned to attend the match, was discovered at an address in Greater Manchester and police said there are no currently suspected suspicious circumstances.
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to Bowlacre Road in Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 a.m., where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. A police spokesperson confirmed to journalists that the death is not being treated as suspicious. Friends had been concerned when Hatton did not appear at a recent fight involving one of his boxers the previous night.
Manchester City described Hatton as a "City fan and boxing legend" in a club statement, saying the club and its staff were devastated by the news. "Hatton, an icon of British boxing, won world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight, and was viewed by many as one of the most compelling personalities the sport has ever produced," the statement read. It added that he would "always be remembered" and extended condolences to his family and friends.
Hatton won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across a 15-year career and captured world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight. He rose to prominence with a shock victory over Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in 2005 and later beat Jose Luis Castillo in 2007. Nicknamed "The Hitman," Hatton was known for a relentless, front-foot style and the passionate fanbase he attracted, including tens of thousands who travelled to Las Vegas for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007.
He fought Juan Lazcano at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in 2008 in front of some 55,000 supporters, a fight that underscored his connection to the city and the club. Hatton was awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to sport. After retiring from competition, he moved into coaching and had announced plans for a comeback, with a fight reportedly planned for Dubai in December.
Former City defender Micah Richards reacted to the news by calling it "devastating," describing Hatton as "such an icon" and "a true Manchester City fan". Roy Keane, speaking ahead of the derby, called Hatton "a warrior" who "gave everything for that sport." Former player Stan Collymore said Hatton had spoken candidly about his struggles with mental health and added that the openness would have helped others.
Hatton is survived by his son Campbell, who previously retired from boxing, two daughters, Millie and Fearne, and a granddaughter named Lyla. His family has not released a statement through media channels at the time of publication.
Hatton's career included notable highs and lows. He captured domestic and world honours between the late 1990s and 2000s, earned Ring Magazine's Fighter of the Year award in 2005, and moved up to welterweight where he won additional titles. He suffered his first professional defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 and later to Manny Pacquiao in 2009. In later years Hatton publicly discussed challenges with mental health and substance use and entered a rehabilitation facility in 2010; the British Boxing Board of Control temporarily withdrew his license that year.
Police said inquiries into the circumstances of Hatton's death will continue. For anyone affected by the issues raised in this report, confidential support is available through services such as Samaritans on 116 123 or at samaritans.org, and through the Campaign Against Living Miserably at thecalmzone.net/get-support.