WORLD champion boxer Ricky Hatton has tragically died just weeks after announcing a bombshell return to the ring. The sporting icon was found dead at his home in Manchester this morning at the age of 46.
Greater Manchester Police said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Fan favourite Hatton, known as The Hitman, won four world titles after trading blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
Hatton, who was awarded an MBE, had worked as a boxing promoter and trainer since hanging up his gloves.He also appeared on the TV show Dancing on Ice last year.
Tributes have flooded in for the legendary down-to-earth fighter, with heartbroken posts reading: “RIP Hitman”.
“An icon of British boxing and one of its best characters,” one fan wrote.
Former world champion Amir Khan wrote in a touching post: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.”
Hatton’s stellar career spanned from 1997 to 2012, in which he held multiple world championships. Fan favourite Hatton, known as The Hitman, traded blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
He recently talked about his planned comeback: “I think I know what fights I’m capable of doing and I know which fights are beyond me. And this one is one I’m capable of doing. Don’t worry about me.”
“I know what fights are beyond me, I know which fights are silly for me, I know which fights I’m capable of and which ones are sensible for me.
“And this is one of them, so I’ll do you proud again.
“The party can’t last forever,” he admitted. “Sooner or later, you’ve got to slow down. And I think I’ve reached that stage.
The Manchester Derby kicks-off at 4.30pm. Hatton was a City fan. A minute’s silence would be good.
