Ricky Hatton, the beloved British boxing legend known affectionately as “The Hitman,” was found dead at his Manchester home on Sunday at the age of 46. Greater Manchester Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his passing. The news sent shockwaves through the sporting world, triggering an immense outpouring of grief and tributes from family, friends, fellow athletes, and fans.

Ricky’s family released a deeply moving statement, describing him as “so much more than a world champion.” To them, he was “simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many.” They highlighted his immense character, stating he “had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.” Globally, he will be remembered as “one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it,” inspiring generations with his fighting spirit and humility. The family expressed how “immeasurable” their loss was, finding comfort in the “overwhelming outpouring of love and support.” His mother, Carol, separately paid tribute to her “beautiful boy,” emphasizing he was “never The Hitman to us, just Richard.”

The tragic discovery came after friends grew concerned when Hatton missed a gym session on Friday and a fight event in Bolton on Saturday, which was to feature one of his young boxers. Unable to contact him, they made a “concern for welfare” call to the police, who then found his body at his £1.75 million mansion in Hyde just before 7 am on Sunday.

Hatton’s career spanned 15 glittering years, during which he held multiple world championships at light-welterweight and welterweight. He achieved iconic victories against ring greats like Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo but also faced high-profile knockout losses to superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009. He retired from professional boxing in 2012, having won 45 of his 48 fights, and was awarded an MBE in 2007. Since retirement, he had transitioned into a successful role as a boxing promoter and trainer, guiding Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title in 2017. He was set to make a comeback to the ring in December, with a fight against Eisa Aldah in Dubai, an announcement that had generated considerable excitement. Aldah, upon hearing the news, expressed profound devastation, stating his “heart is broken” and that he “cannot believe it,” having grown close to Hatton during their fight preparations.

Beyond his boxing prowess, Hatton was a vocal advocate for mental health awareness in sports, bravely sharing his own struggles with depression, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and even suicide attempts after retiring. He openly criticized the lack of a robust support network for retired boxers, comparing it unfavorably to that offered to former professional footballers. His experiences were documented in the critically acclaimed Sky documentary “Hatton” two years prior, which delved into his career, fractured personal life, and ongoing battles with mental health. His personal life also saw complexities, including a protracted, on-again-off-again estrangement from his parents, Carol and Ray Hatton, over financial disputes, and a split from Jennifer Dooley, the mother of his daughters Millie and Fearne. His son, Campbell, also a professional boxer, retired recently to become a solar panel installer. Last year, he appeared on the TV show “Dancing on Ice” and had a brief public relationship with Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney.

Tributes poured in from across the globe. Former world champion Amir Khan remembered Hatton as “a friend, a mentor, a warrior,” while Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, who had carried Hatton’s belts into the ring, was “devastated,” calling him “a true gentleman and good person” who “captured the nation.” Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, another who had carried his belts, expressed being “absolutely devastated” and said, “RIP CHAMP LIVE FOREVER.” Chris Eubank Snr, a good friend, described Hatton as a “man of the people” and used the opportunity to plea for greater support for retired boxers, highlighting the immense pressure and risks, including brain damage, they face.

In a poignant gesture, both Manchester City and Manchester United honored Hatton, a lifelong City fan, with a minute’s applause before their derby match. Players wore black armbands, and Hatton’s reserved seat at the Etihad Stadium remained empty. City manager Pep Guardiola and player Phil Foden dedicated their 3-0 derby victory to Hatton and his family, with Foden stating he had “extra motivation” for the game. City’s statement acknowledged Hatton as “one of City’s most loved and revered supporters” and “an icon of British boxing,” while United also sent “heartfelt condolences.” Former City captain Vincent Kompany also posted a tribute on X.

Just five days before his death, Hatton had sent a heartfelt video message to a young bullying victim named Louie, encouraging him to “keep your chin up” and to continue boxing training to gain confidence, underscoring his compassionate nature. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, promised that the city would “find a way of honouring him properly.” Fans left flowers and emotional tributes outside his home, with one card from an individual he had helped with alcohol addiction reading, “He was a good guy. A proper local lad... He was hard as nails both in and out of the ring, we all know that, but not in a bad way.”

Ricky Hatton’s legacy as a fighter and as a man, deeply rooted in his working-class Manchester identity, will undoubtedly live on, remembered for his exhilarating performances, his down-to-earth demeanor, and his courageous honesty about personal struggles.