Ricky Hatton’s son pays emotional tribute after former world champion found dead at 46
Campbell Hatton, 24, described himself as his father's 'double' after Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde; police say the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Former world champion Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday, his family said, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the sport. His son, Campbell Hatton, 24, posted an emotional message on Instagram saying he was "heartbroken" and describing himself as his father's "double."
Greater Manchester Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious. Details about the circumstances of Hatton's death were not released on Monday evening, and police said inquiries would continue.
"Heartbroken isn’t the word," Campbell wrote in the Instagram message shared publicly by family members. "Everybody has always said I was your double and never a truer word said. Looked up to you in every aspect of life. Can’t explain how much I’m going to miss the laughs we had and all the good times which I will remember forever. Just can’t believe we won’t have anymore. Love you dad."
Campbell is one of three Hatton children; sisters Millie and Fearne are his half-siblings. Like his father, Campbell pursued a professional boxing career. He retired from the sport two months ago amid emotional turmoil following the death of a close friend. His career highlights included fighting on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s bout with Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and compiling 14 professional victories before two consecutive defeats at the end of his career.
Hatton, known as "The Hitman," had announced a return to the ring in recent weeks with a fight planned in Dubai this December. In recent years he had concentrated on coaching and remained a prominent figure in British boxing.
During a fighting career that spanned more than a decade, Hatton rose from underdog to international attention when he upset Russia’s Kostya Tszyu, and he held multiple world and British titles between 1997 and 2012. He was awarded an MBE in 2007 for his services to sport.
Friends and family paid public tribute following the news. Reports said some associates were concerned when Hatton missed a scheduled appearance at a fight in Bolton on Saturday and a gym session on Friday. Hatton had previously spoken publicly about struggles with mental health and drug addiction; boxing pundit and friend Steve Bunce said Hatton "was in a really good place" after "facing, attacking and solving" those problems.
No further operational details about the investigation or funeral arrangements had been released on Monday. The boxing community and former opponents offered condolences on social media and in broadcast tributes as more details about the former champion’s death were awaited.