British former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has died at age 46, according to the Associated Press.
Police reported Sunday that Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester, and police are not treating the death as suspicious.
“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,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement. “There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Hatton was open about his struggles with alcohol and drugs, but it was not clear whether those contributed to his death.
His parents made a lengthy statement about his death to the Manchester Evening News.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard. Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many,” it read.
“He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him. To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it,” the statement went on.
“He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.
“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support,” they said on behalf of his family.
Hatton had a decade of estrangement from his parents, which ended with their reconciliation in 2019.
Hatton had 3 children: Campbell, 24, who was also a boxer (now retired); Millie 13, and Fearne, 12. He also had a granddaughter Lyla, 7.
He didn't have a wife or girlfriend at the time of his death.
He was considering a comeback to boxing after leaving the sport in 2012 with light-welterweight and welterweight world titles.
After his exit, he coached Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.
