Former two-weight boxing world champion Ricky Hatton tragically died last month, and now the star’s brother has spoken to ITV
Matthew Hatton has opened up about his concerns prior to Ricky Hatton’s death(Image: ITV)
Ricky Hatton’s younger brother Matthew has spoken publicly for the first time since the devastating news of the legendary Manchester boxer’s death was confirmed last month.
Ricky, at the age of 46, was found dead at his home in Hyde on September 14 by his manager and long-time friend Paul Speak.
The passing of the retired British fighter sent shockwaves through the world of sport and far beyond, due to his immense popularity and spectacular career in boxing.
Hatton was laid to rest earlier this month, and it was revealed last week by a coroner that he was found hanged at his residence. A full inquest is scheduled for March 20, 2026.
Speak had arrived at Hatton’s home to accompany him to Dubai that same day for a press conference announcing his return to the ring.
Matthew, who is also a former boxer, recently sat down with ITV for his first interview since his brother’s sudden death. He admitted that, given Ricky’s previous struggles with mental health, he had been concerned for him, but he never believed Ricky would take his own life.
He said: “I don’t think we ever did [think he would take his own life]. I’ll be honest, I’ve always worried. I spoke with my partner all the time [about him] and we did worry a lot about Richard, obviously [with him] doing a lot of interviews and stuff like that.
Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home(Image: PA)
“I’d listen and I was never really convinced by what he was saying. A lot of the time he was speaking about things that had happened years ago and he didn’t really seem to have a purpose now or a vision for the future. That always worried me.
“But genuinely, this year is undoubtedly the best he’s ever been by a long, long way because he had his problems since he stopped boxing. It really was a shock and we didn’t expect that at all.”
When asked whether Ricky ever reached out to him directly, Matthew replied: “Not really. He was always so busy, he was everywhere. I know he was speaking to professionals on a regular basis and that made me a little bit easier about the whole thing.”
Hatton was set to return to the ring for the first time since 2012 to take on Eisa Al Dah on December 2 in Dubai. The Manchester hero is now expected to be replaced by Kell Brook for the fight, which has been rescheduled for February 13.
The boxer was open about his mental health struggles post retirement (Image: Getty Images)
Hatton had regularly spoken openly about his struggles with his mental health, helping to break the stigma of men not showing vulnerability and bottling up feelings instead of speaking to someone. His family and manager said he was “in a good place” in the weeks leading up to his death.
Matthew continued: “In reality I think no [I haven’t processed what’s happened]. At first I was totally shocked and for the first couple of weeks I went to see my mum and dad, I went to see [Hatton’s son] Campbell, I just couldn’t answer my phone or speak to people.
“It felt like a bad dream. Has it hit me yet fully? I don’t know, probably not.”