Ricky Hatton, former boxing world champion, dead at 46

British boxing world champion Ricky Hatton died Sunday. He was 46.

Hatton was reportedly found dead in his home in Greater Manchester, according to the BBC. Police confirmed they found a body of a 46-year-old man at the residence and said they do not believe there were any “suspicious circumstances” surrounding his death. Police did not confirm the identity of the body.

Hatton’s cause of death is not known at this time.

The World Boxing Association paid tribute to Hatton on Sunday.

Hatton, nicknamed “The Hitman” in the ring, rose to prominence in 2000, when he won the British light-welterweight title. After successfully defending that title between 2000 and 2004, Hatton defeated Kostya Tszyu to win the International Boxing Federation title. Later that year, Hatton also won the World Boxing Association title, unifying the light welterweight titles.

Hatton won a number of accolades for his excellence in 2005. He was named the fighter of the year by Ring Magazine, the Boxing Writers Association of America and ESPN.

The following year, Hatton decided to move up to the welterweight division. In May 2006, he won the WBA welterweight title over Luis Collazo.

After switching between the light welterweight and welterweight classes over the next year and a half, Hatton jumped back up to welterweight for a 2007 bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hatton was a perfect 43-0 at the time. He lasted 10 rounds against Mayweather before losing the match.

Two years later, Hatton took on Manny Pacquiao. Hatton, who was still undefeated as a light welterweight, lost the fight in just two rounds after getting knocked out by Pacquiao. Hatton announced a break from boxing following the loss.

He returned in 2012, losing to Vyacheslav Senchenko in the ninth round. Hatton announced his retirement following the fight. He finished his career 45-3.

After 13 years away, Hatton was expected to return to the ring for another comeback in December 2025. He was scheduled to take on Eisa Al Dah.

Away from the ring, Hatton was open about his drinking, drug abuse and depression. He entered a rehab facility in 2010 after he was caught on camera snorting what appeared to be cocaine.

During an ITV News interview in 2019, Hatton admitted it was tough to adjust to life outside boxing. He cited the loss to Pacquiao as a “devastating defeat.” Hatton also said he tried to kill himself multiple times. When that was unsuccessful, Hatton said he decided he would drink himself to death. He started using drugs to stay awake so he could drink more.

Hatton eventually got treatment for those issues, saying speaking to someone “took more courage than I ever showed in the boxing ring.” He encouraged others struggling with depression to seek help and speak to someone.

In June, Hatton became an ambassador for CALM — Campaign Against Living Miserably — a suicide-prevention charity.

Following Hatton’s death, a number of boxers and soccer stars — Hatton was a famed supporter of Manchester City — paid tribute to Hatton. Boxers Tyson Fury, Amir Khan and Anthony Fowler were among the notable names to honor Hatton. Man City defender Micah Richards and Liverpool’s Michael Owen also paid tribute to Hatton.