Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester
Ricky Hatton pictured at the ME London Hotel on February 5, 2018 in London(Image: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
Fans of Ricky Hatton have paid tribute to the boxer after they discovered his final Instagram post. Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester today. Officers were called to Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde, and confirmed a body had been found. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Hatton held multiple world championships, as well as UK titles, and was named Fighter of the Year in 2015. The 46-year-old had been training for a return to the ring later this year with a fight planned for later this year.
Devastated supporters are now flocking to his Instagram account and have been left utterly heartbroken by his final post, where the 46-year-old was captured training for his planned comeback bout, which had been arranged for December 2 in Dubai.
In the footage, Hatton displayed himself taking a brisk walk on a treadmill whilst listening to Ed Sheeran’s track ‘Sapphire’. He could be heard declaring: “Another 5k… good sweat on,” whilst breathing heavily.
The boxer then turned the camera towards himself, appearing drenched in perspiration during his workout before raising his fist in a defiant gesture.
Writing alongside the post, he stated: “Evening run in the bag. Don’t your worry about that our kid. #getupthereboy #hitman #bluemoon.”
Following news of his passing, supporters have inundated the post with heartfelt tributes, with one individual commenting: “RIP Ricky so sad, gone far too soon.”
Another contributed: “Rest easy champ,” whilst someone else remarked: “You put Manchester on the map mate. We will all miss you.”
One additional fan penned: “God bless you Ricky, Manchester finest,” whilst a further supporter declared: “Rest in Peace Ricky.”
Hatton had been scheduled to face Eisa Al Dah in a professional return bout this December, which was planned to span eight rounds.
The Stockport-born fighter would have turned 47 in October, had spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.A GMP 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.”
Hundreds of tributes have poured in following the news of his death, including from Greater Manchester-born boxer Amir Khan.
Hatton was born in Stockport while Khan hails from Bolton. In a lengthy tribute posted on X/Twitter this afternoon, Khan has said Britain has lost a “friend, mentor and warrior”.
Khan posted a picture of him and Hatton together on X and said: “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.”
In a tribute posted on his Instagram page this afternoon, Tyson Fury issued a tribute to the Hitman He posted two pictures of him and Hatton together.
In the caption, Fury said: “RIP to the legend @rickyhatton. May he rest in peace. There will only ever be one Ricky hatton. I can’t believe this, he was so young.”