Former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton dies aged 46

British boxing icon Ricky Hatton has died astatine 46, sparking tributes from crossed sport.

Former boxing satellite champion Ricky Hatton has died aged 46, Greater Manchester Police successful the United Kingdom person confirmed.

Hatton, who was known to fans arsenic “the Hitman”, was discovered astatine his location successful Hyde, adjacent Manchester, aboriginal connected Sunday morning. Police said: “Officers were called by a subordinate of the nationalist to be Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, astatine 6:45am [05:45 GMT] contiguous wherever they recovered the assemblage of a 46-year-old man. There are not presently believed to beryllium immoderate suspicious circumstances.”

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The Manchester-born combatant became 1 of Britain’s astir celebrated boxers, winning satellite titles astatine light-welterweight and welterweight. During a 15-year nonrecreational career, helium secured 45 wins from 48 bouts earlier retiring successful 2012.

Hatton’s decease prompted an outpouring of tributes from the sporting world.

Former England and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham posted connected Instagram: “Ricky was 1 of a kind. Just heartbreaking.” Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury wrote: “RIP to the fable Ricky Hatton. There volition lone ever beryllium 1 Ricky Hatton. Can’t judge this – truthful young.”

Football figures besides paid respect to the lifelong Manchester City supporter. Before City’s Premier League lucifer against Manchester United connected Sunday, the Etihad Stadium held a minute’s applause, with fans chanting his name.

City manager Pep Guardiola described him arsenic “a existent champion” and “part of the Man City family”. Wayne Rooney, who erstwhile carried Hatton’s belts into the ring, said connected X that helium was “devastated”, calling him “a legend, a warrior and a large person”.

Hatton’s vocation featured memorable victories implicit Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, portion his lone defeats came against boxing greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

In caller years, Hatton remained adjacent to the sport. He attempted a comeback successful 2012, fought successful an accumulation with Marco Antonio Barrera successful 2022, and earlier this twelvemonth announced plans to look Eisa Al Dah successful Dubai. He besides spoke openly astir his battles with slump and featured successful the 2023 documentary Hatton, which explored his idiosyncratic struggles and intelligence health.

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies