Ricky Hatton, the former world boxing champion, has died aged 46 – just weeks after announcing a dramatic return to the ring.

This morning, the renowned boxing figure was discovered at his residence in Greater Manchester, where a police cordon is currently in place. Authorities have stated that his death is not considered suspicious.

A representative from Greater Manchester Police reported: ‘Officers were alerted by a civilian to attend Bowlacre Road in Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today, where they discovered the body of a 46-year-old man. At this time, there are no suspicious circumstances believed to be involved.’

Daily Mail Sport understands that friends were initially concerned last night, when Hatton failed to appear at an event featuring one of his boxers. 

After retiring from the ring, he had moved in to coaching but was due to return to the sport with a fight planned in Dubai in December.

Hatton, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2007, had often spoken of his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.

But his good friend, boxing pundit Steve Bunce, today revealed he ‘was in a really good place’ after ‘facing, attacking and solving’ his addictions.

A fervent Manchester City fan, Hatton was expected at the Etihad Stadium later today for the derby match against Manchester United, where he had arranged a table in a corporate hospitality suite.

Known for his aggressive and courageous style in the ring, Hatton held numerous world and national titles throughout his career spanning from 1997 to 2012. He leaves behind a son, Campbell, who retired from boxing at 24 to work as a solar panel installer last July, along with two daughters, Millie and Fearne.

During his impressive 15-year career, he won 45 out of 48 professional matches. Notable achievements included victories over Kostya Tszyu of Russia and Jose Luis Castillo, although he faced defeats against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton, who was set to celebrate his 47th birthday next month, revealed his comeback to the sport in July, with a bout against Eisa Al Dah from the United Arab Emirates planned for December 2 in Dubai.

Just two days ago, Hatton had shared footage of him training intensely with a punching bag as he readied himself for his return to boxing. He captioned it: ‘Thursday session in the bag. #hitman #bluemoon #getupthereboy.’ 

Boxers past and present today led tributes to Hatton as they mourned the loss of ‘one of Britain’s greatest boxers’. 

Former world champion Amir Khan wrote: ‘Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.’

Chris Eubank Jr said: ‘Rest in peace Mr Ricky Hatton. We salute you.’

Tyson Fury added: ‘Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton may he RIP. Can’t believe this so young.’

And Olympic boxer Anthony Fowler said: ‘Feel sick. RIP Ricky Hatton.’ 

Elsewhere, Piers Morgan tweeted: ‘RIP Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, 46. Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news.’

And Sacha Lord, Manchester’s nighttime economy advisor and owner of The Warehouse Project, said: ‘RIP Ricky Hatton. A gentle giant and absolute legend.’ He called for a minute’s silence to be held at today’s derby match between Hatton’s beloved Manchester City and Manchester United in his honour.

Hatton rose through amateur and domestic levels to pit his wits against the best boxers of his generation.

But his down-to-earth demeanour also endeared him to fans across the world, and he was open about the mental health issues he endured upon his retirement from the ring.

He had previously spoken of his battle with depression and revealed that he had attempted suicide on multiple occasions.

Nine years ago he told the BBC: ‘I tried to kill myself several times. I used to go to the pub, come back, take the knife out and sit there in the dark crying hysterically.’

Hatton added: ‘There were times when I hadn’t had a drink for days and I’d still come home and if something went through my mind I’d start pondering something. It was the same outcome whether I was having a drink or wasn’t having a drink.

‘But in the end I thought I’ll end up drinking myself to death because I was so miserable. I was coming off the rails with my drinking and that led to drugs. It was like a runaway train.’

Police are now thought to be working with Hatton’s family over the issuing of a tribute.

Hatton also overcame a fallout with his family and a court case with his former trainer Billy Graham to become a successful trainer, coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.

In 2023, he released a personal documentary in which charted his journey from the Hattersley estate near Manchester to headlining on the Las Vegas strip.

Hatton’s battle with mental health features prominently in the film and talked about the ‘depression, addiction and shame’ that followed his defeats by Mayweather and Pacquiao.

It candidly revealed how the estrangement from his family for nearly a decade and the split from his coach pushed him to his absolute rock bottom.

But boxing pundit Bunce today revealed that Hatton was in a much better place.

He told Radio 5Live: ‘It’s an unbelievably shocking piece of news, he has had some troubles Rick, he has talked about his mental health problems, he’s talked about his addictions, he’s faced them and attacked them and solved them, he was in a really good place.

‘He was preparing for an exhibition fight, the gym has been his salvation. He was getting his head and body in a better place.

‘He didn’t show up on Friday at the gym and he was meant to be at a fight last night and he didn’t show up at the fight.

‘It’s shocking news, had it been ten years ago when he was in the darkest place a man could be in, it would have been understandable but I’m generally shocked and amazed by it.

‘If you look at any images of him from the last two or three weeks its as good as he’s looked in 15 years, that’s why this will be an even bigger shock.’

He said he thought Hatton had faced his demons and come through. ‘My first reaction was I didn’t believe it,’ he added.

A clearly emotional Bunce said Hatton’s success was down to his ‘pure determination and desire.’

‘If he won there was nothing left, if he lost there was nothing left, he gave everything in both victory and defeat,’ he added.

‘He was a massive inspiration on both sides of the ropes.’

During the film, Hatton said: ‘I was champion four times over but I consider myself a failure. I wasn’t supposed to end this way.’ 

At the time of his official retirement, Hatton said: ‘A fighter knows when it’s not there, and it’s not there. I’ve had too many fights and burnt the candles at both ends.

‘I’ve lost four and half stone for this and my sparring was great but I’m not going to put myself through that torture again.

‘I got the answers. I was crying in the ring and no doubt I’ll be crying tonight but I’m happy. I had to go in there and find out and I did.

‘I’ve no complaints. It’s been three and a half years and you all know the story. I needed to put a few demons to rest and I said before the fight I felt I’d already won and that hasn’t changed.’

In his early 20s, Hatton had a brief relationship with a woman known only as Claire, who went on to have his boxer son, Campbell – born on January 9, 2001.

His longest relationship was with Jennifer Dooley between 2005 to 2016.

Ms Dooley was there for some of the highest points of his career, seeing him win or retain multiple world titles as well as being there for the presentation of his MBE in 2007’s New Year Honours.

Hatton proposed to her on Valentine’s Day of 2009.

He fatefully named the couple’s Cheshire house the ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ after Elvis Presley’s hit track.

But in 2010, Irish boxing champion Emma Bowe revealed that she had been having an 11-month affair with the boxer after getting his autograph in Dublin.

A rocky period between Ms Dooley and Hatton after the fighter’s retirement in 2012 included him moving in and out of their £3 million home a number of times.

A December 2013 holiday bust-up led to Hatton moving out. But after moving back in again months later, in June 2014, he then left for a second time after going AWOL during a boozy trip to Lanzarote.

But their turbulent year was put behind them in the New Year when they went on holiday to Tenerife with their two daughters, Millie, 11, and Fearne, 10.

In 2016, however, another string of drink-fuelled nights out for Hatton put a final end to his 11-year relationship, after he was pictured looking worse for wear partying with other girls in his arms.

He said of Ms Dooley: ‘It’s very upsetting when you’ve been in such a long-term relationship and it comes to an end.

‘I can’t deny there are times I have found things difficult.’

He had a flurry of romances with women, ranging from Playboy models to beauty therapists, but he had most recently been in a relationship with actress Claire Sweeney.

The couple began secretly dating after starring on ITV’s Dancing on Ice together and enjoying a holiday to Tenerife.

Coronation Street actress Ms Sweeney previously explained she and Ricky had known each other for 25 years before sparks flew between them while the boxing champion said it was ‘nice’ they were able to connect following the end of their respective relationships.

But the Mail revealed in December how they had split after eight months after deciding they were ‘better off as pals’. 

Hatton’s imposing five-bedroom house, near Hyde, Stockport, is currently on the market for £1.75million.

The property, named ‘The Heartbreak’, has a flag of his Manchester City team on the driveway.

The gates to the house were initially open around 11am this morning but were later closed. Three plain-clothed officers entered the mansion and stayed for 15 minutes.

It is believed Hatton put the property up for sale after splitting with Ms Sweeney.

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