Ricky Hatton, the celebrated British boxing icon, has died at the age of 46. His body was discovered at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday, September 14. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Hatton was preparing for a boxing comeback, scheduled for December, marking his return to the ring after 13 years. He was set to face Emirati fighter Eisa Al Dah, following a brief exhibition bout against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022. Hatton had not fought professionally since his match against Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012, which came three and a half years after his defeat to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

In his final social media posts, Hatton shared videos of himself training with his son, Campbell, who is also a professional boxer. The last clip showed Campbell demonstrating his skills in the ring, while Hatton showcased his footwork and speed on a punching bag. Hatton had expressed his excitement about returning to boxing, citing the inspiration he drew from the reunion of the band Oasis.

He stated, "It inspired a lot of people, you know, for me to get in shape again at the age I'm at. Especially bearing in mind all my problems I've had personally with mental health and stuff like that."

Hatton's death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the sporting community. Fellow boxer Amir Khan described him as "not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior." Khan emphasised the importance of discussing mental health, stating, "Sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human."

Piers Morgan also paid tribute, expressing his sadness over Hatton's passing. He tweeted, "RIP Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, 46. Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news."

Hatton leaves behind a significant legacy in boxing, having held multiple world champion titles and captivating fans with his memorable fights. His influence extended beyond the ring, as he worked as a boxing promoter and trainer after retiring from professional boxing.