Ricky Hatton, the legendary former world boxing champion who became a sports hero while uplifting his city of Manchester, England, is dead at 46. Fans and opponents both memorably called him “the Hitman.” Hatton was the most lauded British pugilist of his era, gaining tons of world championships during his storied career. On Sunday morning, police found his body in a location in Hyde, Greater Manchester. The boxing community remains stunned by the tragic news.
Hatton’s illustrious career began in the early 2000s. In a short time, he established himself as one of the sport’s biggest stars. He was a tiger in the ring, a fighter and a warrior, and he battled nonstop. These sensibilities allowed him to reach the masses, endearing him to a largely unquestioning fanbase. With world titles in two different weight classes, Hatton’s mark on the sport as a champion will be missed by countless fans.
Though he retired from professional boxing in 2012, Hatton had recently announced plans for a comeback. He was training for an exhibition match planned for this December in Dubai. To prove his commitment to a comeback, he decided to post workout videos of himself on social media, demonstrating that he was in the gym working his ass off.
During his life, Hatton was forthright about his battle with depression and alcoholism. He often emphasized the importance of mental health awareness, stating, “Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.” These words struck a chord for the pugilistic community. They do shed light on the hidden battles that so many athletes fight behind the scenes.
Hatton’s personal life captured public imagination. He was in a high profile relationship with former Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. He lived in The Heartbreak, as his property was appropriately called, in the heart of Hyde, where he was a local hero. His friends and supporters extend beyond the UFC and fondly recall not just his in-ring accomplishments but his humble demeanor. Stephen Billing, a close friend, remarked on Hatton’s humility: “He was a proper local lad, down to earth. You’d never know he was a multimillionaire professional boxer.”
As word of his death swept through the boxing community, tributes came in from other fighters and fans of all stripes. Tyson Fury expressed his disbelief at the loss of Hatton, stating, “Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he rip. There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton.” Amir Khan reflected on the struggles that many athletes face, remarking, “As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong – we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. Sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind.”