Former world champion Ricky Hatton has died aged 46 after being found at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, police have confirmed. Officers discovered Hatton’s body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am on Sunday morning. Greater Manchester Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious. A cordon remains in place at the property.
A GMP spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Hatton, nicknamed “The Hitman”, had been due to return to the ring in December for an exhibition bout against Dubai’s first professional boxer Eisa Al Dah, 13 years after his final professional fight. His last competitive outing was against Vyachslav Senchenko in Manchester in 2012, where he was stopped in the ninth round. He retired afterwards, admitting: “I needed one more fight to see if I had still got it – and I haven’t. I found out tonight it isn’t there no more.”
Hatton rose to become one of Britain’s most popular and celebrated fighters, known for leading thousands of travelling fans to Las Vegas for blockbuster fights. With an all-action style and a devoted following, he was unbeaten in 43 professional contests before meeting Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand in 2007, in one of the sport’s most high-profile bouts.
He was stopped in the 10th round by Mayweather but rebounded with victories over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi before suffering a devastating second-round knockout against Manny Pacquiao in 2009. His final professional appearance came in 2012, though he fought Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera in an unscored exhibition in 2022.
Hatton’s career highlights included world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, as well as memorable nights in Manchester and Las Vegas. Beyond the ring, he remained a popular figure in British sport, coaching and mentoring fighters while continuing to appear in the public eye.
Hatton is survived by his children and family, who are yet to issue a statement. Tributes from across the boxing world are expected in the coming hours.