Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home on Sunday morning, and now his friend Steve Bunce has shed light on his final hours
09:36, 15 Sep 2025Updated 09:41, 15 Sep 2025
Hatton was found dead at his home on Sunday morning
Ricky Hatton’s friend Steve Bunce has shed light on the former world champion boxer’s final hours after he was found dead at the age of 46.
Hatton’s body was discovered at his home in Hyde on Sunday morning, with police saying they are not treating the death as suspicious. Tributes have since poured in for the late fighter – who was nicknamed ‘The Hitman’ – with BBC boxing pundit Bunce reacting emotionally to the tragic news during an appearance on Radio 5 Live.
Bunce, who was audibly emotional as he spoke about Hatton and his battles with mental health issues and drug addiction, revealed that the tragedy came after the British boxing great had failed to show up to a fight on Friday night.
“It’s an unbelievably shocking piece of news because he was in a really good place,” said a tearful Bunce. “He’s had some troubles, Rick. I mean, he’s talked about his mental health problems, he’s talked about his addictions; he’s addressed them, faced them and attacked them and solved them.
“He was preparing for an exhibition fight; like it is for so many fighters, the gym’s been his salvation. He was getting his body and his head in a better place.
“Apparently, talking to people, he didn’t show up on Friday at the gym, and he was meant to be at a fight last night, and he didn’t show up, and someone went to his house this morning… It is shocking news.”
Hatton, who would have celebrated his 47th birthday next month, had previously survived suicide attempts and reconciled with his family after addressing his mental health, with the tragic news leaving Bunce “genuinely shocked”.
“Had it been 10 years ago, when he talked openly about considering ending his life, had it been 10 years ago when he was in one of the darkest places any man can be, it would have been, I guess, understandable,” Bunce added. “But at the moment, I’m genuinely shocked by it. I mean, genuinely, I’m amazed by it.”
Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46(Image: PA)
In a statement issued on Sunday, Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Tributes have poured in from across the world of boxing for Hatton, who is survived by his children Millie, Fearne and Campbell and granddaughter Lyla.
Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is among those to have paid tribute, writing “Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he rip. There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this so young.”
Frank Bruno added that he was “absolutely devastated” by Hatton’s death, while Amir Khan said: “We [have] lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior”