British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has died on the age of 46 after being discovered at his house in Hyde, Better Manchester, on Sunday morning. Police confirmed there have been no suspicious circumstances surrounding his dying.
Hatton, nicknamed “The Hitman”, was one among Britain’s most beloved fighters, successful a number of world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight.
His passionate fanbase adopted him throughout the globe, famously travelling of their hundreds to observe him face Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in a few of the sport’s largest nights.
Tributes have poured in from throughout the sporting world. Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury wrote on Instagram: “RIP to the legend Ricky Hatton. There’ll solely ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t consider this – so younger.”
Ex-world champion Amir Khan hailed Hatton as greater than a boxing nice: “At present we misplaced not solely one among Britain’s biggest boxers, however a good friend, a mentor, a warrior. Ricky Hatton.”
Former England captain David Beckham mentioned on Instagram: “Ricky was one among a form. Simply heartbreaking.”
Wayne Rooney, who memorably carried Hatton’s belts into the ring earlier than his 2007 battle with Jose Luis Castillo, posted: “Devastated. A legend, a warrior and an awesome individual.”
Manchester Metropolis, Hatton’s boyhood membership, honoured him with a minute’s applause earlier than their derby in opposition to Manchester United on Sunday. Supervisor Pep Guardiola described him as “a real champion and a part of the Man Metropolis household.”
Throughout a glittering 15-year profession, Hatton received 45 of his 48 skilled fights, together with his well-known 2005 victory over Kostya Tszyu on the Manchester Enviornment.
He was named The Ring journal’s Fighter of the Yr in the identical season and was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame in 2024.
