Ricky Hatton, British Boxing Champion, Dies at 46

Ricky Hatton, a former two-division world champion and one of Britain’s most popular boxers, has died at age 46, Greater Manchester Police said.

Officers were called by a member of the public to Bowlacre Road in Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 a.m., where they found the body of a 46-year-old man, police said. The force said the death was not currently being treated as suspicious and that investigators were working with the family to allow them to release a statement.

Tributes from across the combat sports world began to appear on social media following the announcement. Former world champion Amir Khan wrote on X that Hatton was "one of Britain’s greatest boxers" and urged people who are struggling with their mental health to reach out. Tyson Fury posted a photograph of himself with Hatton and wrote, "Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton may he rip. There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. can’t believe this so young."

Hatton rose from a 1997 professional debut in Widnes to international prominence in the mid-2000s. He captured world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight and finished his career with a record of 45 wins, three losses and 32 knockouts. In 2005 he was named Fighter of the Year by Ring magazine, the Boxing Writers Association of America and ESPN following a run that included a victory over Kostya Tszyu in Manchester that is regarded as one of the most significant wins in modern British boxing.

He fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas in December 2007 and recorded his final professional bout in Manchester in November 2012, a knockout loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko. Promoters said Hatton had been planning a comeback bout in Dubai in December.

Frank Warren, who managed Hatton for much of his career, described him as a "superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before," and extended his condolences to Hatton’s family.

Hatton’s popularity extended beyond the ring. Known for his aggressive style, Manchester accent and close ties to his hometown, he was a fixture on British sporting and media pages throughout his career and afterwards. His run of high-profile bouts in the mid-2000s helped raise the profile of British boxing internationally.

Greater Manchester Police reiterated that there are "not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances." Authorities said they would continue to work with the family to confirm details and to facilitate any public statement they wish to make.

The news prompted an outpouring of remembrance from fighters, promoters and fans recalling Hatton’s energy and achievements in the sport. Further information may be released by the family or investigators as they conclude their inquiries.