Former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton has passed away.

He was 46.

The former light-welterweight and welterweight division champion was found deceased in his Manchester home.

Police say his death is not considered suspicious.

Boxers took to social media to offer their condolences.

“Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton. 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. 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,” Amir Khan commented.

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“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,” he added.

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ricky Hatton.  He was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life.  We shared unforgettable moments in boxing history and I will always honor the respect and sportsmanship he showed. Ricky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey,” Manny Pacquiao said.

“My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the Hatton family and all his loved ones. May the Lord give you strength and comfort in this difficult time. May he rest in peace,” he added.

BBC has more:

Hatton won 45 of 48 professional bouts across his 15-year career, and last fought professionally in 2012. He matched up with some of the biggest names of his generation, including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.

He grew a dedicated following of fans in the UK and beyond, who are today remembering his kind-hearted manner and acute sense of humour.

A life-long supporter of Manchester City, the club has held a “minute of appreciation” for Hatton at today’s derby against Manchester United.

Ring Magazine posted a throwback video of Hatton’s press conference before his bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Check it out:

Fox News noted:

Hatton was planning for a comeback bout in Dubai in December.

He won multiple world titles during his career and was named Fighter of the Year in 2005 by Ring Magazine, the Boxing Writers Association of America and ESPN. He was 45-3 in his career with 32 knockouts.

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Hatton’s last professional fight occurred in Manchester against Vyacheslav Senchenko in November 2012. He lost via knockout.

Frank Warren, Hatton’s former manager, remembered the boxer as a “superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before.”

“From making his debut (in) Widnes in 1997 to then go on to win one of the most historic fights in British boxing history against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester, Ricky will rightly go down as one of the modern greats of this sport,” he added.

 

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