Legendary British boxer Ricky Hatton has died aged 46, with news of the former multi-time, multi-weight world champion’s passing leaving the boxing community in shock
The sporting world has been left in shock following the heartbreaking news that boxing legend Ricky Hatton has tragically died at the age of 46.
Hatton’s body was found at his home in Stockport, with police releasing a statement on Sunday. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police stated: “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.”
The devastating news of Hatton’s death comes just two months after he announced his planned comeback to the ring, over a decade since his last professional bout. The former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion, who hung up his gloves in 2012, had confirmed that he would face United Arab Emirates fighter Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight clash in Dubai on December 2 this year.
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Hatton was one of Britain’s most beloved boxers. His relentless fighting style made him a true fan favourite, with supporters following him across the world.
He rose through amateur and domestic ranks to test himself against the finest boxers of his era, including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Hatton’s down-to-earth personality also won him fans worldwide, and he was open about the mental health struggles he faced after retiring from the sport.
He overcame a fallout with his family and a court case with his former trainer, Billy Graham, to become a successful trainer himself. He coached Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017, and his celebrity status endured long after he hung up his gloves.
Since retiring from the ring, the Manchester-born fighter had stayed in the spotlight, frequently attracting attention for his party-going nature and notable relationships alongside his pugilistic legacy.
Romance with Claire Sweeney
Last year, Hatton was in a relationship with British actress and television figure Claire Sweeney, which captured the public’s interest. The Coronation Street star, who is 53, opened up about their bond during an ITV appearance in July 2024.
“I’ve known Ricky for like 25 years,” she revealed. “I first met him in La Manga in the early 2000’s, then we did Dance for Comic Relief together 2013, and then we met on Dancing on Ice and it’s great.”
She added: “He makes me laugh and we both like Only Fools and Horses, so what’s not to like!” The pair, who dated for almost a year, found love while competing on Dancing On Ice. They eventually parted ways but maintained their friendship.
Hatton’s huge career earnings
‘The Hitman’ was understood to have amassed a wealth of around £35million, mainly through his successful 15-year boxing career, which resulted in 45 wins from 48 bouts and titles in both welterweight and light welterweight divisions.
His headline clashes against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, particularly the latter encounter, are believed to have substantially boosted his finances, with sources indicating the Pacquiao bout earned him £15m.
Life after retirement
Following his retirement, Hatton stayed busy, moving into the business world. He set up Hatton Promotions to develop emerging boxing talent and formed the Hatton Boxing Academy, which provides various training programmes for both budding boxers and fitness enthusiasts.
Hatton also enjoyed considerable success as a coach, most notably guiding Zhanat Zhakiyanov to the WBA bantamweight title in 2017 and working alongside Tyson Fury when the Ring Magazine heavyweight champion returned in May 2018.
While he acknowledged that leaving professional boxing meant sacrificing the unique thrill of fight night, Hatton found satisfaction in coaching fighters.
“A lot of people say when they retire, they miss the fighting. I don’t think I really do,” Hatton once told The Ring. “I feel content with it now, but I know I haven’t got it now. I still get my little bit of what I got as a fighter through my training.”
Playing a significant role in his son’s career was also a crucial part of Hatton’s life after retiring from boxing. Campbell Hatton, just 24 years old with 16 professional bouts under his belt, was managed by Ricky’s brother Matthew until they parted ways following Campbell’s first professional loss to James Flint.
Hatton then stepped up to support his son Campbell in a managerial role. Their bond was built on mutual respect and a shared passion for the sport. However, Hatton’s journey during his career and post-boxing wasn’t always smooth sailing.
He faced depression, addiction and feelings of disillusionment, especially after high-profile losses to Mayweather and Pacquiao. Those defeats sparked a downward spiral, leading to heavy drinking, substance abuse and several suicide attempts.