Ricky Hatton, Boxing Legend, Passes Away: ‘Hitman’ at 46

The boxing world mourns the loss of Ricky Hatton, a legend of the sport who passed away at the age of 46.

An Unforgettable Champion

Hatton, known for his aggressive fighting style, was one of the most beloved boxers of the 2000s. The World Boxing Association (WBA) and his former manager, Frank Warren, expressed their sadness at the news.

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

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the discovery of the body of a 46-year-old man in Hyde, England, and ruled out any suspicious circumstances in the incident. Hatton conquered world titles in the super-lightweight and welterweight categories. His rise in amateur and professional boxing led him to face figures of the stature of Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao. His charisma and closeness to the fans made him an idol all over the world, and he was always open about his mental health problems after his retirement. Ricky Hatton managed to overcome personal and professional difficulties, including family differences and a legal case with his former trainer Billy Graham, to become a successful trainer. In 2017, he guided Zhanat Zhakiyanov to victory for the world bantamweight title. In July, Hatton announced his return to boxing, scheduling a professional fight against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai for December. Boxing champion Tyson Fury expressed his regret on social media, sharing photos with Hatton and stating that there will only be one Ricky Hatton.

After a distinguished amateur career, Hatton began his professional journey with a victory over Colin McAuley in 1997. After 21 consecutive victories, Hatton conquered the British super-lightweight title by defeating Jon Thaxton in 2000, consolidating himself in the Manchester Arena with successful defenses. His consecration came in June 2005, when he forced Kostya Tszyu to retire in his corner, in a fight for the IBF title in Manchester, a victory that Hatton considered the most important of his career. His debut in the United States was the following year, with a points victory against Luis Collazo in Boston. In June 2007, his victory over Mexican José Luis Castillo in Las Vegas secured him a place in boxing history. Hatton, adored for his fighting style and the fervor of his followers, starred in a lucrative fight with Mayweather that same year, suffering his first professional defeat. A subsequent confrontation with Pacquiao marked his retirement after a defeat in the second round.

We shared unforgettable moments in boxing history and I will always honor the respect and sportsmanship he showed. Ricky fought with courage, not only in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all fortunate to have been a part of his wonderful career.

Manny Pacquiao

Three years later, Hatton returned to the ring after overcoming weight problems, depression and alcoholism, as well as accusations of drug use. Although he lost to Vyacheslav Senchenko, his return was seen as a personal triumph. Frank Warren, in a post on X, described Hatton as a “boxer with exceptional talent who inspired a generation of young boxers and fanatics in a way that few have achieved”, and added that “rightly, he will go down in history as one of the modern greats of this sport”.