Boxing legend Ricky Hatton dies at 46 in Manchester home

Former boxing satellite champion Ricky Hatton, 1 of the sport’s astir beloved figures, has died astatine the property of 46.

Hatton was discovered deceased astatine his Greater Manchester home, according to Britain’s Press Association. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the decease is not being treated arsenic suspicious.

Tributes poured successful arsenic the boxing satellite mourned his loss.

Former champion Amir Khan wrote connected Facebook, “Today we mislaid not lone 1 of Britain’s top boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.”

Tyson Fury posted connected Instagram, “RIP to the fable Ricky Hatton whitethorn helium RIP. There volition lone ever beryllium 1 Ricky Hatton. Can’t judge this, truthful young.” His member Matthew shared, “I emotion you Richard.”

Hatton’s decease comes conscionable 2 months aft helium had announced a astonishing comeback combat scheduled for December successful Dubai against Eisa Al Dah, pursuing a decade-long status since his 2012 nonaccomplishment to Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Throughout his illustrious career, Hatton captured satellite titles astatine light-welterweight and welterweight, facing boxing giants including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao paid tribute: “He was not lone a large combatant wrong the ringing but besides a brave and benignant antheral successful life. Ricky fought bravely, not conscionable successful the ring, but successful his travel done life. He genuinely had a bully fight, and we are each blessed to person been portion of his fantastic journey.”

Hatton’s everyman appeal, combined with his all-action warring benignant and candid struggles with value betwixt bouts, earned him a monolithic following. Football prima Wayne Rooney shared, “Devastated. A legend, a warrior, and a large person.”

Following retirement, Hatton spoke openly astir his intelligence wellness challenges.

“As fighters, we archer ourselves we’re beardown — we train, we sweat, we instrumentality hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest combat happens successful silence, successful the mind,” Khan noted.

Hatton’s career-defining infinitesimal came successful 2005 erstwhile helium defeated the formidable Kostya Tszyu for the IBF satellite ace lightweight rubric earlier 22,000 fans successful Manchester. This triumph catapulted him to planetary stardom, with thousands of British fans pursuing him to the United States for his biggest fights.

Former manager Frank Warren called him “superbly talented” and idiosyncratic who “inspired a procreation of young boxers and fans successful a mode precise fewer had done before”.

Though Hatton suffered his archetypal vocation decision against Mayweather successful 2007 and aboriginal mislaid to Pacquiao successful 2009, his 2012 comeback aft battling depression, intoxicant issues, and value summation was considered a idiosyncratic triumph contempt ending successful defeat.

A lifelong Manchester City supporter, Hatton was honoured with a minute’s appreciation earlier Sunday’s derby against Manchester United, with fans from some sides applauding successful tribute. Manchester City’s connection read: “Ricky was 1 of City’s astir loved and revered supporters, who volition ever beryllium remembered for a glittering boxing vocation that saw him triumph satellite titles astatine welterweight and light-welterweight.”

Before his death, Hatton had recovered occurrence arsenic a trainer, guiding Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a satellite bantamweight rubric successful 2017.