Richard John Hatton MBE, the celebrated British boxer known as "The Hitman," has passed away at the age of 46. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that his body was discovered at his home in Hyde on 14 September 2025, following a call from a neighbour.
Authorities are not treating the death as suspicious.
Authorities are not treating the death as suspicious.
Born on 6 October 1978 in Stockport, Hatton grew up in a pub on the Hattersley Council Estate in Hyde, Greater Manchester.
He attended Hattersley High School and began his boxing journey at Sale West ABC on the Racecourse Estate.
From the age of 10, when he first donned gloves and impressed his amateur coach with his fierce style, he earned the moniker "The Hitman" which was not a nod to Tommy Hearns, as often assumed, but to his own youthful intensity.
He attended Hattersley High School and began his boxing journey at Sale West ABC on the Racecourse Estate.
From the age of 10, when he first donned gloves and impressed his amateur coach with his fierce style, he earned the moniker "The Hitman" which was not a nod to Tommy Hearns, as often assumed, but to his own youthful intensity.
Hatton's amateur career was brief but distinguished, securing seven British titles and representing his country at the 1996 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships.
He turned professional in 1997 at the age of 18, training under Billy "The Preacher" Graham at his gym in Moss Side, Greater Manchester.
His professional tenure spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which he amassed an impressive record, holding multiple World Championships.
He turned professional in 1997 at the age of 18, training under Billy "The Preacher" Graham at his gym in Moss Side, Greater Manchester.
His professional tenure spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which he amassed an impressive record, holding multiple World Championships.
Hatton's ascent began in 2000 with the British Light-Welterweight Championship, followed by the World Boxing Union (WBU) crown in 2001, which he defended a record 15 times until 2004.
He reached his zenith in 2005, dethroning Kostya Tszyu to claim the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and lineal titles, before unifying the division later that year with a victory over Carlos Maussa for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Title.
Venturing into Welterweight in 2006, he captured the WBA Championship against Luis Collazo.
Returning to Light-Welterweight in 2007, Hatton reclaimed the vacant IBF Championship and added the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title.
His first career defeat came that same year against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a bid for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Championship.
In recognition of his prowess, Hatton was named Fighter Of The Year in 2005 by The Ring magazine, Boxing Writers Association of America, and ESPN.
He reached his zenith in 2005, dethroning Kostya Tszyu to claim the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and lineal titles, before unifying the division later that year with a victory over Carlos Maussa for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Title.
Venturing into Welterweight in 2006, he captured the WBA Championship against Luis Collazo.
Returning to Light-Welterweight in 2007, Hatton reclaimed the vacant IBF Championship and added the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title.
His first career defeat came that same year against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a bid for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Championship.
In recognition of his prowess, Hatton was named Fighter Of The Year in 2005 by The Ring magazine, Boxing Writers Association of America, and ESPN.
After retiring from the ring, Hatton transitioned into roles as a boxing promoter and trainer.
He presented his own live chat show, Ricky Speaks, on Nuts TV in 2008, and made a memorable appearance on WWE Monday Night Raw on 9 November 2009 at Sheffield Arena, where he defeated wrestler, former ECW World Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr.
In September 2023, it was announced that he would compete in the sixteenth series of ITV/STV's Dancing On Ice in 2024.
Hatton's cultural impact extended beyond sport; he was referenced alongside Mayweather in New York rapper GZA's 2008 track "Paper Plate", from the album Pro Tools.
He presented his own live chat show, Ricky Speaks, on Nuts TV in 2008, and made a memorable appearance on WWE Monday Night Raw on 9 November 2009 at Sheffield Arena, where he defeated wrestler, former ECW World Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr.
In September 2023, it was announced that he would compete in the sixteenth series of ITV/STV's Dancing On Ice in 2024.
Hatton's cultural impact extended beyond sport; he was referenced alongside Mayweather in New York rapper GZA's 2008 track "Paper Plate", from the album Pro Tools.
A passionate supporter of Manchester City Football Club, which was bolstered by family ties, as both his father and grandfather were former players.
Hatton was deeply embedded in his community.
He became patron of the Manchester-based homeless charity Barnabus in 2013 and supported The Village News, a children's newspaper in Haughton Green, by attending a charity auction where he signed boxing gloves, raising £1,600.
More recently, he served as a special guest speaker for The Toby Henderson Trust at a sportsmen's dinner at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel, contributing donations and auction items to benefit the Centre for First Initiatives in Crosby, Liverpool.
Hatton was deeply embedded in his community.
He became patron of the Manchester-based homeless charity Barnabus in 2013 and supported The Village News, a children's newspaper in Haughton Green, by attending a charity auction where he signed boxing gloves, raising £1,600.
More recently, he served as a special guest speaker for The Toby Henderson Trust at a sportsmen's dinner at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel, contributing donations and auction items to benefit the Centre for First Initiatives in Crosby, Liverpool.
Hatton inspired a devoted fanbase, renowned for their spirited chants during his bouts.
A modified version of the Christmas classic "Winter Wonderland" became an anthem in his honour, while opponents were often goaded with the football staple "Who Are Ya?".
A modified version of the Christmas classic "Winter Wonderland" became an anthem in his honour, while opponents were often goaded with the football staple "Who Are Ya?".
Ricky Hatton will be remembered as one of Britain's finest boxers of his generation, a six-time World Champion across three weight divisions whose grit and charisma captivated the nation.
His legacy endures in the sport he loved and the communities he championed.
His legacy endures in the sport he loved and the communities he championed.
RSS Feed
