Ricky Hatton expressed his eagerness for a boxing comeback in a recent interview before his untimely passing. The renowned British athlete was discovered at his residence in Hyde, Greater Manchester, where authorities have cordoned off the area.
Greater Manchester Police verified the discovery of a body at Hatton’s home, stating that the incident is not considered suspicious. A spokesperson from GMP confirmed the finding at Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, emphasizing that no foul play is suspected.
Hatton had been gearing up for a return to the ring this December, slated to face Eisa Al Dah, Dubai’s inaugural professional boxer. This fight would have marked his first professional match in over a decade, following his retirement after a defeat by Vyachslav Senchenko in Manchester back in 2012.
His bout with the Ukrainian came after his initial retirement, triggered by a knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. Despite turning 47 in October, Hatton had made a brief boxing comeback in 2022, engaging in an exhibition match with fellow legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
The former welterweight and light-welterweight champion had openly discussed his anticipated return to professional boxing earlier this year, sharing his enthusiasm for the upcoming match. Hatton, in a livestream announcement, mentioned a minor eye injury preventing his physical presence at the event but expressed his excitement for the fight to proceed.
Acknowledging his struggles with depression and addiction, Hatton had been vocal about his journey and its impact on others facing similar challenges. In an exclusive interview, he highlighted how his transformation inspired many individuals dealing with weight and mental health issues, serving as a beacon of hope.
Throughout his 15-year boxing career, Hatton amassed an impressive record of 45 wins and 3 losses. His crowning achievement came in 2005 when he clinched the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles by defeating Kostya Tszyu. Despite subsequent victories defending his titles, his ultimate challenge against Floyd Mayweather ended in a TKO defeat, thwarting his bid for the WBC and The Ring welterweight championship.