An inquest into the tragic death of boxer Ricky Hatton has concluded that he died by suicide. Hatton, a celebrated two-weight world champion, was well-regarded as one of the most beloved figures in the boxing community.
On Thursday morning, the inquest, held at South Manchester Coroners’ Court, revealed the heartbreaking details surrounding his passing. Coroner Alison Mutch shared that Hatton was discovered unresponsive in his bedroom on September 14 by his manager and close friend, Paul Speak.
During the proceedings, coroner’s officer Alison Catlow provided insights into the circumstances leading to the tragic discovery. She reported that Hatton had last been seen by his family on September 12, when he appeared to be in good spirits. However, the following day, he failed to attend a scheduled event. On the morning of September 14, Mr. Speak went to Hatton’s home to escort him to Manchester Airport for a flight to Dubai, where he was set to announce his highly anticipated comeback fight, only to find him unresponsive.
The news of Hatton’s death left his family heartbroken and captured the shock and sorrow of his devoted fanbase. He was laid to rest on October 12 at Manchester Cathedral, with many friends, family members, and celebrities in attendance, lining the streets to pay their final respects as his funeral procession moved through the city, pausing at significant landmarks.
Known affectionately as ‘The Hitman,’ Hatton’s illustrious boxing career spanned 15 years, during which he held multiple world titles in both the super-lightweight and welterweight divisions. He gained fame for his intense battles against other boxing legends, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, and for his stunning victory over Kostya Tszyu.
Beginning his professional journey in 1997, Hatton won the British super-lightweight title in 2000, quickly building a passionate following as he progressed through the ranks. One of the defining moments of his career came in 2005, when he faced the formidable Kostya Tszyu at the MEN Arena in Manchester, securing a victory that clinched him the world championship and solidified his status as the top fighter in his weight category. Following this triumph, Hatton unified the IBF and WBA titles by defeating Carlos Maussa.
In the subsequent year, he transitioned to the welterweight division, claiming the WBA title with a win against Luis Collazo. A series of high-profile bouts followed, including a much-anticipated match against Floyd Mayweather, which resulted in Hatton’s first professional defeat. The fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2009 marked another significant moment as he faced off against another of boxing’s elite.
Though he retired in 2011, Hatton attempted a comeback in 2012, facing Vyacheslav Senchenko, but this bout did not turn in his favor. He was expected to make a return to the ring later this year, with fans eager to see him back in action after his incredible career.
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