World boxing champion Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Greater Manchester at the age of 46. The Stockport-born fighter was discovered at his residence on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde, with a police cordon now in place at the scene.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a body was found at 6:45am on Sunday morning. A spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6:45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious."
The devastating news comes just months after the legendary boxer announced his return to boxing with a fight planned for December. According to dailystar.co.uk, the comeback was inspired by the Oasis reunion and he was scheduled to fight Dubai's first professional boxer Eisa Al Dah.
Boxing career and achievements
During his professional career, Hatton held multiple world championships and UK titles across different weight divisions. Dailystar.co.uk reports he won 45 of 48 professional bouts with a perfect 43-0 record before his first loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2007.
Birminghammail notes he was named Fighter of the Year in 2015, cementing his status as one of Britain's most celebrated boxers. His career spanned 15 years and made him a cultural icon in Manchester, where he became beloved by fans across the boxing community.
Personal struggles and advocacy
Hatton had spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and drug addiction throughout his life. He survived suicide attempts and overcame a fallout with his family, whom he later reconciled with after addressing his mental health issues.
The former champion had become an advocate for mental health awareness, using his platform to help others facing similar challenges. His openness about his personal battles resonated with fans and the broader public, highlighting the importance of mental health support.
WalesOnline reports that officers were called to the scene by a member of the public. Hatton would have turned 47 in October, making the timing of his death particularly tragic as he prepared for his boxing comeback.
Sources used: "Manchester Evening News", "Birminghammail", "WalesOnline", "dailystar.co.uk"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
