Ricky Hatton, a former world boxing champion who won titles in the light welterweight and welterweight divisions, was found dead at his home in England, multiple European news outlets reported Sunday. Hatton was 46.
‘Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man,’ a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson told the British Broadcasting Company.
Authorities said they believe his death did not come under any suspicious circumstances. The Associated Press reported that police had not revealed the identity of the man but were working with his family to provide a statement.
‘A true champion, an indomitable spirit, and a legend of the sport. Your legacy will live on in every fight and in the hearts of boxing fans around the world,’ WBA Boxing said in a statement.
Hatton last fought in 2012 and said after he retired that he attempted suicide, struggling with alcohol, drug use and depression. He had announced a comeback recently and was set to fight Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight clash on Dec. 2 in Dubai.
In his career, Hatton went 45-3 with 32 KOs, and won his first world title in 2005, scoring an upset victory over Kosta Tszyu by TKO after Tszyu did not answer the bell for the 12th round.
But two of Hatton’s notable losses came to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather scored a 10-round TKO in 2007 when the two fought for the WBC welterweight title, and he was knocked out in the second round by Pacquiao in 2009, losing his IBO crown.
Hatton, whose nickname was ‘The Hitman,’ was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024.