Ricky Hatton dies aged 46; boxing world pays tribute to 'people's champion'

Ricky Hatton, the former two-weight world boxing champion who became one of Britain's most popular fighters, has died at the age of 46. Greater Manchester Police said Hatton's body was found at his home in Hyde on Sunday and that the circumstances were not thought to be suspicious.

Hatton, nicknamed "the Hitman," rose from a small gym in his parents' pub to win world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight and to become a household name in British sport. Over a professional career that began in 1997, he won 45 of 48 bouts and enjoyed a run of 43-0 before suffering his first defeat.

Hatton's rise included a landmark victory over Kostya Tszyu in Manchester, a fight often cited as one of the great moments of British boxing. He later fought on the sport's biggest stages, including a 2007 meeting with Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and a 2009 bout with Manny Pacquiao. More than 30,000 fans travelled to Las Vegas for the Mayweather fight, underscoring Hatton's broad appeal.

Prominent figures from boxing and other sports paid tribute after news of his death. Former world champion Amir Khan called Hatton "one of Britain's greatest boxers" and a "mentor," while heavyweight champion Tyson Fury described him as a "legend." Wayne Rooney, who carried Hatton's belts into the ring ahead of his fight with Jose Luis Castillo in 2007, said he was "devastated" and called Hatton "a legend, a warrior and a great person."

Promoter Frank Warren remembered Hatton on social media as a "superbly talented fighter" who "inspired a generation of young boxers," and promoter Eddie Hearn wrote, "Everybody loved Ricky. May he rest in eternal peace." Barry McGuigan described him as "a man of the people and a spectacular fighter. A great man inside the ring and a wonderful man outside of it."

Journalist Steve Bunce, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, called Hatton the "people's champion" and a "warrior," saying, "He fought with every part of his soul and fibre. If he won there was nothing left, and if he lost there was nothing left." Former WBC super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall highlighted Hatton's accessibility, saying he remained down to earth despite reaching the top of the sport.

Hatton's persona was rooted in his Mancunian background. He trained in a basement gym above his parents' pub and later in a gym above a carpet factory in Hyde. When he walked to the ring in Las Vegas he wore a robe bearing an advertisement for his father's carpet shop, a detail often cited to illustrate his connection to his roots.

Defeats to Mayweather and Pacquiao were followed by a difficult period for Hatton. He spoke publicly after retirement about struggles with alcohol and mental health and acknowledged the darker phases of his life. Bunce said those close to Hatton had witnessed "the dark holes, the depression and the dark thoughts," and noted Hatton had worked to address his addictions and mental health issues.

Hatton fought professionally until 2012, when he lost during a brief comeback to Vyacheslav Senchenko. He later worked as a trainer, became a sought-after after-dinner speaker, and expressed pride in his son Campbell's rise into the professional ranks. He fought an exhibition against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022 and had been scheduled for another bout in Dubai in December.

Darts legend Phil Taylor and former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff were among those outside boxing to post condolences. Friends and colleagues recalled Hatton's generosity, his willingness to engage with fans, and the role he played in popularising boxing in Britain during the first decade of the 21st century.

Greater Manchester Police made no further comment beyond confirming that the death was being treated as non-suspicious. Hatton's family has not yet issued a public statement. Memorial plans and details of any tributes have not been announced.

Hatton's career and life combined sporting success with a very public struggle away from the ring, a combination that drew both admiration and concern from fans and peers. He leaves a record of high achievement in the ring and a legacy that prompted widespread tributes across boxing and the wider sporting world.