Ricky Hatton’s inquest will open later this week, just over a month after the sudden and shocking death of the beloved British boxing icon who died aged 46
John Jones and Neil Docking
17:20, 14 Oct 2025
Ricky Hatton was found dead on September 14(Image: 2021 Getty Images)
An inquest into the death of Ricky Hatton is set to begin on Thursday morning, just over a month after the tragic loss of the British boxing icon at the age of 46.
The ex-world champion was discovered dead at his Hyde, Greater Manchester home on September 14, shocking the world of sport. His funeral took place last Friday, October 10, with thousands of mourners crowding the streets of Manchester and a plethora of celebrities attending a service at the city’s cathedral for the beloved star.
A month after his passing, little information has been released about Hatton’s cause of death. However, some details surrounding his death are expected to be outlined on Thursday, October 16, following the police – who do not suspect any foul play – referring the case to the coroner.
The inquest is set to take place at South Manchester Coroners’ Court in Stockport at 9am, when it will be presided over by the area’s senior coroner, Alison Mutch.
Inquests are initiated by coroners when there’s reasonable suspicion that a death has resulted from anything other than natural causes.
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton(Image: Getty Images)
While there isn’t a precise legal definition for a ‘natural’ cause of death, it’s generally defined as “death due to a disease running its full course with no other intervening factors”, reports the Mirror.
An inquest opening is a preliminary administrative proceeding where the coroner formally initiates the investigation into a death. The coroner verifies the identity of the deceased and, if known, the medical cause of death, while a brief account of the circumstances surrounding the death may also be presented.
The coroner then decides whether a full inquest is necessary and postpones the hearing to a later date for a review or final hearing. A timetable is set for the subsequent stages of the investigation, which includes gathering witness statements and reports, as well as scheduling any necessary future hearings.
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Hatton was candid about his mental health struggles, with his 13-year-old daughter Millie’s poignant eulogy at his funeral prompting her to ask him: “Why didn’t you reach out?”.
Speaking to those gathered inside Manchester Cathedral during the service, she expressed: “I can’t help but think about how you will never walk me down the aisle, how you will never meet my children and your grandchildren, how you won’t be here to see me leave school or even see me grow into an adult.
“Why did you feel that way? Why didn’t you reach out about how you felt? I genuinely hope you don’t ever think you have let me down, because I would never think that. I love and miss you unconditionally.”
Ricky Hatton was laid to rest on Friday, October 10(Image: PA)
Paul Speak, Hatton’s mate and long time manager, was the one who discovered the 46-year-old’s body at his Manchester home when he popped round to collect him for the airport. Initially assuming the former boxer had simply overslept, it wasn’t until he ventured upstairs that he uncovered the devastating truth.
“The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange,” he told Boxing News: “I thought he’d overslept, but it’s not unusual. People do oversleep. So, I went inside – I have a key – shouting, ‘Rick, Rick, wake up! I heard music coming from upstairs, so I went upstairs… I took a look at him… I had to take some time to process it.
“I was in a state of shock and confusion and loss and many more emotions,” he added. “Then I called the police and the ambulance. But I firmly believe he didn’t intend to do it. It’s for the coroner to determine, but he had it all to live for.
“He’d arranged to take his daughters to see Oasis next week. He was planning to go to Thailand for the WBC convention and a holiday after his fight. He’d just booked a flight to Tenerife for Christmas. I want to get the truth out, otherwise people will just speculate.”
The Daily Star and Manchester Evening News have teamed up in a campaign to carry on Ricky’s work in the field of men’s mental health.
In the wake of his passing, we’re fundraising for Andy’s Man Club and the Campaign Against Living Miserably, two charities that held a special place in the heart of the former world champion. You can learn more and make a donation HERE.