Former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46, his promotional company announced Sunday. No cause of death was instantly disclosed. The news of Hatton’s passing has prompted an outpouring of grief and remembrance from the boxing community and fans worldwide.
Hatton, a beloved figure known for his aggressive fighting style and relatable personality, achieved global stardom during a career spanning from 1997 to 2009. He captured world titles in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions, notably defeating Kostya Tszyu in 2005 to win the IBF junior welterweight title. His fights drew massive audiences,and he became a symbol of working-class pride in his native Britain.
The Manchester-born boxer amassed a professional record of 45 wins, 32 by knockout, and 24 losses. Memorable victories included clashes with Jose Luis Castillo and Juan Urango, the latter occurring January 20, 2007, in Las Vegas. Hatton’s career also included high-profile defeats against Floyd Mayweather Jr.and Manny Pacquiao.
Beyond his in-ring accomplishments, Hatton was lauded for his openness regarding his struggles with mental health and substance abuse following his retirement. He openly discussed his battles with depression and alcohol addiction, becoming an advocate for mental health awareness. “as fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong – we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind,” Hatton once reflected, as quoted by fellow boxer Amir Khan on X (formerly Twitter).
Following his boxing career, Hatton transitioned into training, guiding Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title victory in 2017. His influence extended beyond the sport, inspiring countless individuals with his resilience and honesty. Khan added on X, “Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out.We must lean on each other.” Details regarding funeral arrangements have not yet been released.
