Featured Image Credit: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Topics: Boxing, Sport, UK News, Health, Mental Health
Liv Bridge
Topics: Boxing, Sport, UK News, Health, Mental Health
The world boxing pro Ricky Hatton has tragically been found dead at his home.
Cops have reportedly confirmed in a statement today (Sunday, September 14) that legendary former world boxing champion Hatton has died at the age of 46.
Greater Manchester Police were called to Hatton's home in Gree Cross, Hyde, in the UK, following a call from a neighbor.
The force stated a body was found at the scene, but the death is 'not being treated as suspicious'.
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The tragic news comes as the boxer announced only in July this year that he was coming out of retirement to return to the ring for a fight this coming December.
It would have been his first bout in 13 years.
During the peak of his career in 1997 to 2012, the British fighter nicknamed 'The Hitman' took home several trophies and broke records in both the light welterweight and welterweight divisions.
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His lifetime record boasted 45-3, including championships and 43 consecutive wins before suffering losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007 as well as Manny Pacquiao and Vyacheslav Senchenko.
Hatton has been candid in his retirement about his mental health struggles, including depression and problems with alcohol and drugs.
Back in 2016, he told BBC radio: "I was coming off the rails with my drinking and that led to drugs. It was like a runaway train."
However, he had been in training for his big comeback to the sport he loved in anticipation of his fight against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai on December 2.
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Tributes have since been flooding in for the icon, with former boxer Amir Khan one of the first to tip his hat.
"Today we lost not only one of Britain's greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton," he said, as per Sky News.
"As fighters, we tell ourselves we're strong - we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind."
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Khan continued: "Mental health isn't weakness. It's part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.
"Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what's possible.
"To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding."
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British boxer Tyson Fury has also weighed in, posting on Instagram that there will 'only ever be one Ricky Hatton'.
"Rip to the legend Ricky Hatton may he RIP.
"Can't believe this so young."
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "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.
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"There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances."
Ricky is survived by his three children, Campbell, 24, Millie, 13 and Fearne, 12.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.