Ricky Hatton has died aged 46.
Hatton was discovered useless at his house in Hyde on Sunday morning. Better Manchester Police stated they aren’t treating the dying as suspicious.
A police spokesperson 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.”
Hatton held a number of world championships at light-welterweight and one at welterweight throughout a 15-year skilled profession.
The British boxing nice had been as a consequence of make a comeback to the ring in December.
Hatton’s stellar profession included epic fights in opposition to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Tributes for Hatton
Hatton’s profession abstract
Hatton held a number of world championships within the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions throughout his boxing profession which spanned from 1997 to 2012.
He held the WBU title between 2001 and 2004 – making 15 profitable defences of that title, which adopted the British light-welterweight title he gained in 2000.
Hatton then grew to become a unified light-welterweight champion in 2005, which represented the peak of his profession. He gained the IBF, Ring and lineal titles by beating Kostya Tszyu that yr, earlier than beating Carlos Maussa to assert the WBA title.
He made his welterweight debut the next yr, claiming the WBA title by defeating Luis Collazo. After profitable one other IBF light-welterweight title in 2007, he suffered his first profession defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
He then misplaced his light-welterweight titles to Manny Pacquiao in 2009. Hatton retired in 2011 however made a comeback in 2012, the place he was crushed by Vyacheslav Senchenko. He was as a consequence of make a comeback later this yr.
‘A outstanding human being who captured the general public’s creativeness’
Sky Sports activities’ Craig Slater stated British sport has misplaced somebody who actually captured the creativeness of the boxing public.
“He was a remarkable human being,” he stated. “I had the great pleasure of knowing him as a friend. I got to know him before he turned professional and this is devastating news for all of us that knew him.
“His was with out query one of many nice careers in British boxing. He had some nights which had been with out examine in British boxing historical past which took the game to new heights and reached new audiences. He was a one-off.
“We can talk about the record and the number of fans that followed him around the world but this was a beloved son, father and friend to so many people who did so much good.
“What was nice about him was that he was so unassuming, modest, quiet and there was a shy aspect to him as properly. He wasn’t somebody who revelled within the highlight.
“In box office terms and in terms of capturing the public’s imagination, Ricky Hatton did that more than anyone else in the last half century in British boxing.”
‘An icon – and a person of the folks’
Micah Richards was devastated to listen to of Hatton’s tragic passing.
He stated: “The news is devastating. I was taken back to be honest. He is such an icon, a British icon, boxing and sport. A true Manchester City fan but most importantly, he was a man of the people.
“He was the nicest man ever. I went to his health club and I used to be a bit nervous, I do not know something about boxing, he took his time [with me].
“For him to take the time and effort. He was a deep person, very deep. The news is devastating. It feels surreal. Someone so young, it is devastating.”
‘He left every thing within the ring – that is why followers cherished him’
Roy Keane has stated British boxing legend Ricky Hatton was a “warrior” after his passing on the age of 46.
“The guy was a warrior, that’s why fans loved to watch him in the ring. He gave everything to that sport,” Keane stated.
“They thought so highly of him and he left everything in the ring. Absolutely shocking news.”
‘One of many final working-class heroes’
Sky Sports activities Boxing’s Andy Scott stated Ricky Hatton’s capacity to attach with the followers made him a novel expertise.
“Whatever capacity you worked with Ricky in, he treated everybody the same,” he stated. “He held an open training session in Hyde before the Pacquiao fight and I went along not really knowing what I was doing and he made you feel a million dollars.
“He gave you his time and he was probably the most hilarious man, an actual working man’s hero.
“He was one of the last working-class heroes, to go from where he came from to achieve what he achieved, that resonated with so many different people. He brought the crowd into it with the energy he generated.”
