British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester. The 46-year-old former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion was one of the most popular boxers in British history.
His death is not being treated as suspicious, according to Greater Manchester Police.
Ricky Hatton, nicknamed “The Hitman”, was one of Britain’s most popular and accomplished boxers, known for his aggressive style, relentless body punching, and loyal fan base. Born on October 6, 1978, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Hatton grew up in a working-class family and discovered boxing at an early age. His love for the sport was matched only by his passion for Manchester City Football Club, and throughout his career he proudly carried both his regional and sporting identities into the ring.
Hatton turned professional in 1997 and quickly developed a reputation as a ferocious fighter with an exciting, crowd-pleasing style. He was a pressure fighter, constantly moving forward, cutting off the ring, and delivering punishing hooks to the body. His stamina and toughness became hallmarks, allowing him to wear down opponents who struggled to keep pace with his relentless attack. By the early 2000s, Hatton had captured the imagination of British boxing fans, who admired not only his skill but also his down-to-earth personality.
His breakout moment came in June 2005 when he faced the legendary Kostya Tszyu, a formidable champion and one of the top pound-for-pound fighters of the era. Few expected Hatton to win, but he produced the performance of his career. In a gruelling contest, Hatton’s relentless pressure forced Tszyu to retire on his stool after the eleventh round. This victory made Hatton the IBF light-welterweight champion and solidified his status as one of the sport’s elite fighters. It also sparked wild celebrations among his fans, who followed him in massive numbers both at home and abroad.
Hatton’s popularity was unmatched among British fighters of his time. Thousands of supporters would travel to Las Vegas, turning American fight venues into a sea of blue and white in support of their hero. His charismatic personality and everyman appeal made him a national figure, admired for staying grounded despite his fame.
After his triumph over Tszyu, Hatton went on to win world titles in two weight classes. In 2006, he defeated Carlos Maussa to add the WBA light-welterweight belt to his collection. He later moved up to welterweight, claiming the WBA title by beating Luis Collazo. Though successful, Hatton was physically smaller than many welterweights, and his greatest performances remained at light-welterweight, where he was considered the best in the world.
His career also featured high-profile clashes with two of the greatest fighters of the modern era. In December 2007, Hatton faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the WBC welterweight title. Despite his strong start, he was ultimately outclassed by Mayweather’s superior skill, suffering his first professional defeat by knockout in the tenth round. In 2009, Hatton fought Manny Pacquiao in a blockbuster bout that ended brutally, with Hatton knocked out in the second round. These losses, while humbling, did not diminish his legacy but rather highlighted his willingness to take on the very best.
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