Ricky Hatton appeared fit and sharp as he sweated through a workout in a video he posted just days before his death.
The former World Boxing Champion died today aged 46, just weeks after announcing a dramatic return to the ring.
Hatton was found at his home in Greater Manchester this morning, where a police cordon currently sits outside. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Just two days ago he posted a video of himself on Instagram looking healthy and in good spirits as he worked up a sweat on a treadmill during an evening training session.
As Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire played in the background, he turned the camera on his face and said: ‘Another 5k, good sweat on.’
In the caption he wrote: ‘Evening run in the bag. Don’t your [sic] worry about that our kid. #getupthereboy #hitman #bluemoon.’
The Daily Mail understands friends were initially concerned last night when Hatton failed to appear at an event featuring one of his boxers.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said today: ‘Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.’
Just two days ago Hatton posted a video of himself looking healthy and in good spirits as he worked up a sweat on a running machine during an evening training session
The former world champion looked in good shape in the video of him on a treadmill, with memorabilia from his fights on the walls behind him
The boxing icon was found at his home in Greater Manchester this morning, where a police cordon currently sits outside. He had a Manchester City flag in the front garden
BBC boxing pundit Steve Bunce was audibly emotional as he paid tribute to Hatton and was asked multiple times on-air whether he was OK to continue.
He described Hatton’s death as ‘unbelievably shocking’ and said the boxing icon ‘was in a really good place’.
‘He’s had some troubles, Rick. I mean, he’s talked about his mental health problems, he’s talked about his addictions; he’s addressed them, faced them and attacked them and solved them,’ Bunce said.
‘He was preparing for an exhibition fight; like it is for so many fighters, the gym’s been his salvation. He was getting his body and his head in a better place.
‘Apparently, talking to people, 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, and someone went to his house this morning… It is shocking news.’
After retiring from the ring, Hatton moved into coaching but was due to return to boxing himself, with a fight planned 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.
The British boxing icon celebrates after winning the WBA light-welterweight title when he defeated Carlos Maussa
British boxing icon Ricky Hatton has died aged 46. He is pictured here at the PFA Awards 2025 at Manchester Opera House on August 19
Ricky Hatton fights Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2007
Ricky Hatton with his son Campbell during a public workout at the National Football Museum in Manchester in October 2024
A huge Manchester City supporter, Hatton was due to be at the Etihad Stadium for this afternoon’s derby with Manchester United, and had a table in a corporate hospitality area.
Hatton, an aggressive and brave fighter, held multiple world and UK titles during his career between 1997 and 2012.
He had one son, Campbell, who retired from boxing at 24 to become a solar panel installer this July, and two daughters, Millie and Fearne.
He won 45 of his 48 professional bouts during a stellar 15-year career. Among his career highlights were defeating Russia’s Kostya Tszyu and Mexico’s Jose Luis Castillo, but he also suffered heartbreak when he lost to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
In July, Hatton – who would have turned 47 next month – announced his return to boxing, with a fight against the UAE’s Eisa Al Dah scheduled for December 2 in Dubai.
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.’
