Ricky Hatton, former world champion who stunned Kostya Tszyu, dies at 46

Ricky Hatton, the Manchester-born boxer who became a two-weight world champion and delivered one of the biggest shocks in British boxing history when he stopped Kostya Tszyu, has died at the age of 46.

Hatton rose from local hero to international star in the mid-2000s, winning world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight and becoming the first English boxer named Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 2005. His battering, come-forward style and outspoken personality made him a draw at home and abroad.

Hatton's career-defining night came on June 5, 2005, at Manchester's MEN Arena, when the 26-year-old upset Tszyu, the long-reigning light-welterweight champion widely regarded as one of the division's best. Tszyu entered the fight as holder of multiple belts and unbeaten since 1997; Hatton prevailed when Tszyu's corner stopped the fight, a result that stunned observers and solidified Hatton's place among the sport's top fighters.

Hatton moved up to welterweight and won the WBA title in 2005, later adding the belt again after a notable victory over Luis Collazo in Boston. He remained a high-profile figure in the division, meeting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009 — high-profile losses that nevertheless defined his willingness to face the sport's elite. He is also remembered for a left hook to the body that felled Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas in 2007.

Known for relentless pressure and an ability to absorb punishment, Hatton compiled 32 knockouts during his professional career. His combination of punching power, endurance and a combative style made him hugely popular in Britain, with few domestic fighters matching his reach into the public imagination. Boxing writers and peers placed him alongside figures such as Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno in terms of national appeal, while analysts noted his grit more than the technical polish of some contemporaries.

Hatton's career also included well-documented personal struggles. In a 2021 interview with writer Riath Al-Samarrai, Hatton spoke candidly about regrets connected to heavy drinking and drug use, and about periods when he had contemplated suicide. The interview included appearances with his son Campbell and reflected Hatton's efforts to steer the next generation away from some of his mistakes. He later worked with his son as Campbell progressed into professional boxing.

Observers and colleagues recalled Hatton's rapport with coaches and trainers, including longtime trainer Billy Graham, who was credited with coaxing critical performances from Hatton in pivotal moments. Commentators at the time of the Tszyu fight, broadcasting to global audiences, described the upset in real time and highlighted Hatton's resilience and tactical willingness to keep advancing despite fatigue and adversity.

Hatton's high-profile bouts brought him both acclaim and criticism. While he was lauded for bravery and heart, his losses to Mayweather and Pacquiao were seen as unfulfilled tests of legacy by some analysts. Still, his victory over Tszyu, his two-weight world titles and his selection as Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 2005 remain central to assessments of his sporting contribution.

Beyond the ring, Hatton retained a strong connection to Manchester and to fans who identified with his everyman persona. He combined a public-facing showmanship with episodes of private difficulty, and in interviews he often blended self-deprecating humour with frank discussion of his hardships. In one conversation cited by a writer, Hatton quipped of his career accomplishments: "Aye, not bad for a fat twat."

Prominent figures in boxing and British sport are expected to issue tributes and reflections in the days ahead. Details surrounding Hatton's death have not been released. His career, marked by a capacity for both spectacular victory and high-profile defeat, left a distinct imprint on British boxing and on the sport internationally.

Hatton's surviving family and close associates include his son Campbell, who has followed him into the sport; further personal details and funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

Ricky Hatton's rise from local favorite to two-division world champion and cultural figure in British sport remains one of the sport's striking stories: a fighter whose courage in the ring and struggles outside it shaped a complicated but enduring legacy.