The sporting world was devastated by news today that Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home, aged 46. Tyson Fury and Frank Bruno led the tributes to a British boxing icon.
‘The Hitman’ rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his aggressive style and sharp body-punching. He captured the IBF super-lightweight world title in 2005 by defeating Kostya Tszyu and went on to unify the division before moving up to welterweight, where he claimed the WBA belt.
Hatton fought some of the sport’s biggest names, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, suffering high-profile defeats but earning global respect for his courage and fan-friendly demeanour. Beloved in his hometown of Manchester, he remained one of the UK’s most popular fighters, later returning as a trainer and promoter after his 2012 retirement.
Today, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News:
“Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Taking to Instagram shortly after the news was confirmed, Fury said:
“Rest in peace to the legend Ricky Hatton. There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this, so young.”
The two were close friends and had often provided advice and support during episodes of poor mental health, with Hatton – who was set to return to the ring later this year in Dubai – once recalling Fury phoning him ‘within ten minutes’ when he had posted on social media about having a bad day.
Amir Khan also spoke on his ‘friend and mentor’ Hatton, thanking him for what he had done in and out of the ring whilst urging others to ‘reach out’ if they are struggling.
“Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton. As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up.
“But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. 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.
“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.”
Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.
As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health… pic.twitter.com/JwSaYJe6XE
— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) September 14, 2025
Former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno said:
“What can I say I’m absolutely devastated. RIP My friend.”
What can I say I'm absolutely devastated. RIP My friend pic.twitter.com/TNHYMglNad
— Frank Bruno MBE 🇬🇧 (@frankbrunoboxer) September 14, 2025
Fans, fighters and analysts will continue to mourn Hatton, remembering his incredible nights under the bright lights both on these shores and in the US. His presence on the British boxing scene will be sorely missed.
