A coroner in the UK said she “cannot be satisfied” that former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton intended to commit suicide.

Nicknamed ‘the Hitman’, Hatton won the WBA, IBO and IBF light-welterweight titles and the WBA welterweight world championship during his 15-year professional career before retiring in 2012.

He had been due to make a comeback for an event in Dubai late 2025..

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The 46-year-old former world champion was found “unresponsive” at his home.

Alison Mutch, sitting for the full inquest at Manchester South Coroner’s Court in Stockport, stated she was “satisfied that Hatton had carried out the acts which led to his death, [she] could not be sure he intended to take his own life,” was “under the influence of alcohol” and had made “significant future plans”.

Hatton’s son, Campbell, told the court: “He [Ricky] had made plans for the future which leads us to believe this [his death] wasn’t premeditated.”

The court heard a toxicology report found Hatton had more than twice the legal drink-driving limit of alcohol in his system.

There was no evidence of drug use prior to his death, although the ruling stated there was evidence of previous cocaine use.

Ricky Hatton hugs Kostya Tszyu after the IBF light-welterweight match. (Photo by Nick Potts – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images

Manchester Police, told the inquest no notes were found in the property.

An examination of Hatton’s brain by neuropathologist Dr Neil Papworth showed “mild” CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).

He said the type of damage Hatton had is also more usually associated with people older than the former champ.

Papworth said Hatton’s CTE was “mild but it can affect mood and memory”.

Hatton had spoken about previous suicide attempts following retirement and was candid about episodes of poor mental health and struggles with drink and drugs.

Ricky Hatton. Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images

“When I add everything together I cannot be satisfied that he intended to take his own life at that point,” the Coroner said.

“Intent remains unclear.

“He was under the influence of alcohol and a post-mortem had shown signs of CTE.”

The court also heard from the boxer’s mum, Carol, who revealed what happened the last time she saw him.

She said they had chatted about him returning to the ring and were planning to visit after a trip to Dubai.

His mother revealed that her son’s “eyes were sad” and that the “last hug he gave me almost broke my ribs.”

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