Ricky Hatton dies aged 46 as British boxing icon found at home

British boxing icon Ricky Hatton has been found dead at home aged just 46.

Hatton, who was one of British sport's most popular athletes during his prime, was crowned world champion when he stunned Kosta Tszyu on what was a defining night in 2005. Hatton went on to be involved in two of the biggest fights involving British fighters when he took on Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

He hung up his gloves after his sickening KO defeat by the latter but returned three-and-a-half years later when he lost to Vyachslav Senchenko in 2022. Hatton had been due to return to the ring in December, 13 years on from his last professional bout. He was expected to face Dubai's first-ever professional boxer Eisa Al Dah in the Emirate.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed a body had been found at Hatton's address and that the death was not being treated as suspicious. A 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 grew up on a council estate in Hyde in Manchester and after having trials for Rochdale football club, he joined a boxing club in order to defend himself from bullies at school. After a short amateur career, he made his professional debut in a leisure centre in 19897, a far cry from the dazzling lights that would follow.

Hatton won the lightly-regarded WBU light-welterweight title in 2001 before stopping Tszyu in 2005 in what remains one of the best victories by a British fighter. Hatton become a unified champion later the same year before moving up in weight to take on Luis Collao with victory confirming him as a two-weight world champion.

Hatton had a perfect 43-0 record before he took on Mayweather at the MGM Grand in 2007, which was billed as one of the biggest fights in boxing history. As impressive on the mic as in the ring, Hatton trash talked Mayweather in the build-up to the fight but could not claim victory on the night, being stopped in the 10th round by the pound-for-pound king.

Wins over Juan Lazcano and Malignaggi followed, but Hatton was brutally knocked out by Pacquiao in May 2009 in the second round on what was, for all intents and purposes, his boxing farewell. But a homecoming at the Manchester Arena followed against Senchenko in November 2012 before an un-scored exhibition bout against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022.

Hatton, whose brother Matthew and son Campbell also fought professionally, would often balloon in weight during fights, earning him the moniker "Ricky Fatton". But the Manchester fighter struggled with his mental health and was estranged from his parents following a bitter row over money in 2009 which led to a fight with his dad Ray in a car park.

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton's heartbreaking last social post showed icon training for return

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton dead: Boxing legend, 46, found dead at home as tributes paid - latest updates

Hatton reconciled with his parents in 2019 only for their relationship to hit the rocks again two years ago following the release of a documentary about the fighter's life. Hatton had his son, who hung up his gloves after 16 fights, during a reconciliation with an ex-girlfriend.

The fighter struggled with a cocaine addiction and was treated in rehab in 2010, following his brutal defeat by Pacquiao. He admitted to struggling in retirement but eventually turned to coaching before making his ultimately ill-fated comeback.

Tributes flooded in from the world of boxing with friend Amir Khan pleading: "Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding. Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories."

Chris Eubank Sr wrote on social media: “Rest in Peace Mr Ricky Hatton. We salute you”, while Turki Al-Sheikh, one of the sport’s most high-profile promoters, said: “I am saddened by the tragic news of Ricky Hatton’s passing at the young age of 46. He was a great fighter and a legend in British boxing.”