Ricky Hatton, former world boxing champion, useless at 46

[ad_1] Ricky Hatton, the previous boxing world champion who rose to turn out to be one of the common fighters within the sport, has died. He was 46.

Hatton was discovered useless at his residence in Higher Manchester, Britain's Press Affiliation reported Sunday.

Police mentioned they weren't treating the loss of life as suspicious.

"Officers have been referred to as by a member of the general public to attend Bowlacre Highway, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am right now the place they discovered the physique of a 46-year-old man," Higher Manchester Police mentioned in an announcement. "There aren't presently believed to be any suspicious circumstances."

Tributes pour in Associates of Hatton have been fast to pay tribute Sunday morning.

"As we speak we misplaced not solely certainly one of Britain's biggest boxers, however a good friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton," former world champion, Amir Khan, posted on X.

As we speak we misplaced not solely certainly one of Britain’s biggest boxers, however a good friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton. As fighters, we inform ourselves we’re sturdy — we prepare, we sweat, we take hits, we rise up. However generally the toughest battle occurs in silence, within the thoughts. Psychological well being… pic.twitter.com/JwSaYJe6XE

—@amirkingkhan "Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton might he rip," former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury mentioned in an Instagram publish, with pictures of the pair collectively. "There'll solely ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. cannot imagine this so younger."

Information of Hatton's loss of life comes two months after the shock announcement he would make a return to boxing in December in an expert bout in opposition to Eisa Al Dah in Dubai.

He hadn't fought since shedding for the third time in his profession, in opposition to Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012.

Hatton received world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight and on the peak of his profession shared the ring with with the perfect boxers of his era together with Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

"He was not solely a fantastic fighter contained in the ring but in addition a courageous and sort man in life," Pacquiao posted on X. "Ricky fought bravely, not simply within the ring, however in his journey via life. He really had a superb battle, and we're all blessed to have been a part of his great journey."

I'm deeply saddened to listen to in regards to the passing of Ricky Hatton. He was not solely a fantastic fighter contained in the ring but in addition a courageous and sort man in life. We shared unforgettable moments in boxing historical past and I'll all the time honor the respect and sportsmanship he confirmed. Ricky fought…

—@MannyPacquiao Hatton rose via beginner and home ranges, increase a military of passionate followers that adopted him to America for his largest fights.

His down-to-earth allure, in addition to his tendency to dramatically achieve and shed pounds between fights, endeared him to followers the world over.

"Devastated. A legend, a warrior, and a fantastic particular person," mentioned former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney onn X.

Hatton was open in regards to the psychological well being points he endured upon his retirement from the ring.

"As fighters, we inform ourselves we're sturdy — we prepare, we sweat, we take hits, we rise up. However generally the toughest battle occurs in silence, within the thoughts," Khan added on X. "Psychological well being is not weak spot. It is a part of being human. And we should speak about it. We should attain out. We should lean on one another."

All-action fashion Hatton's all-action fashion added to his reputation. He constructed up a passionate following within the UK earlier than really saying himself on the world stage together with his epic victory in opposition to Tszyu for the IBF world tremendous light-weight (mild welterweight) title in 2005.

Pound for pound nice Tszyu had solely misplaced twice earlier than, however was pressured to retire on his stool in entrance of twenty-two,000 followers in Manchester.

Hatton later described it as his biggest win nevertheless it was simply the beginning of a interval when he fought on the high of the game, with 1000's of followers following him to America for big fights.

The Ring is deeply saddened to study of the passing of former Ring Journal super-lightweight champion, Ricky Hatton. Our deepest sympathies are with Ricky’s family and friends right now. pic.twitter.com/0HDq7stltO

—@ringmagazine In a publish on X, his former supervisor, Frank Warren, described him as a "fantastically proficient fighter who impressed a era of younger boxers and followers in a manner only a few had performed earlier than," including he'll "rightly go down as one of many fashionable greats of this sport."

Losses to Mayweather, Pacquiao Hatton misplaced for the primary time in his profession in opposition to Mayweather on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2007.

After a bought out homecoming at Manchester Metropolis's stadium a 12 months later, he labored his manner again to the highest of the game to tackle Manny Pacquiao in 2009, shedding inside two rounds.

Hatton retired after that defeat, however made a exceptional comeback 4 years later after piling on weight and enduring points with melancholy and ingesting, in addition to allegations of drug use.

Whereas he misplaced to Senchenko, the actual fact he managed to return to the ring was seen as a private triumph.

The British Boxing Board of Management mentioned it was "very saddened" to listen to of his passing.

Exterior of the ring, Hatton was a lifelong fan of Manchester Metropolis.

The membership mentioned there can be a minute of appreciation for Hatton at Sunday's derby in opposition to Manchester United.

"Ricky was certainly one of Metropolis's most cherished and revered supporters, who will all the time be remembered for a glittering boxing profession that noticed him win world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight," Metropolis mentioned in an announcement. "Everybody on the Membership wish to ship our heartfelt condolences to his household and buddies at this troublesome time."

The announcement of Hatton's return to the ring later this 12 months got here after he had loved success as a coach, teaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.