Ricky Hatton: Profile of the British Boxing Legend Who Died at 46

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Sad news has engulfed the international boxing world after former British world champion Ricky Hatton reportedly passed away.

The boxer nicknamed "The Hitman" passed away at the age of 46, on September 14, 2025.

Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday morning and Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Before his death, Ricky Hatton had openly spoken about his struggles with mental health and addiction.

"Today we lost not only one of Britain's greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior," says former world champion Amir Khan, who remembers Hatton as a major inspiration to his career.

"Like many he was one of my first introductions into boxing," unified super-bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney writes on X. "What the Hitman did for not just British Boxing but boxing in general will forever live on."

Ricky Hatton, born on October 6, 1978, passed away less than a month before his 47th birthday.

He was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on the morning of Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Local authorities have conducted a preliminary investigation and declared his death to be unsuspicious.

He earned the nickname "The People's Champion" for good reason, thanks to his affable personality and aggressive fighting style.

The legendary boxer had previously battled mental health issues and addiction, including drug use, and openly spoken about depression and a suicide attempt.

Richard John Hatton, better known as Ricky Hatton, was a British professional boxer who competed from 1997 to 2012.

He was born on October 6, 1978, in Stockport, England, and raised in the working-class neighborhood of Hattersley, Hyde, Greater Manchester.

His father, Ray Hatton, also a former boxer, was Ricky's initial inspiration for boxing.

Hatton attended Hattersley High School.

His interest in boxing was evident at an early age, around 10 or 12, when he began training at the Sale West Amateur Boxing Club.

His amateur career was quite impressive, with a record of 73 wins and only 7 losses, before he decided to turn professional.

Ricky Hatton made his professional debut in 1997 and quickly captured the public's attention.

He was known for his aggressive fighting style, incredible physical endurance, and relentless body shots, which earned him the nickname "The Hitman."

Throughout his career, Ricky Hatton amassed an impressive record of 45 wins (32 by knockout) and only 3 losses in a total of 48 fights.

His career peak came in 2005, when he defeated Kostya Tszyu to capture the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Ring, and lineal light-welterweight titles.

That same year, he also captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super title, becoming the unified light-welterweight world champion.

For his achievements, Hatton was named 'Fighter of the Year' in 2005 by The Ring magazine, the Boxing Writers Association of America, and ESPN.

He also held the welterweight title after defeating Luis Collazo in 2006.

Other notable fights include those against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009, both of which ended in defeat.

After announcing his retirement from the ring in 2011, Ricky Hatton briefly returned in 2012 before finally retiring.

He then transitioned into a role as a promoter and trainer, mentoring a new generation of young boxers.

Hatton also had an exhibition fight with Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022.

In July 2025, he even announced plans for an eight-round middleweight comeback in Dubai in December, against Eisa Al Dah.

For his significant contributions to boxing, Ricky Hatton was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2007.

He was also inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Outside the ring, Hatton is known as a die-hard Manchester City football fan, with the song "Blue Moon" often accompanying his ring entrances.

Applause has rung out across the Etihad stadium in Manchester as a "minute of appreciation" is held for Ricky Hatton.

Manchester City are devastated to learn Ricky Hatton has passed away, aged 46.Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters, who will always be remembered for a glittering boxing career that saw him win world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight.Everyone… pic.twitter.com/6PcjliPBde

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 14, 2025