Amir Khan poses with his WBA light-welterweight belt as he stands alongside promoter, Ricky Hatton (cplaceholder image
Amir Khan poses with his WBA light-welterweight belt as he stands alongside promoter, Ricky Hatton (c | Getty Images
Manchester boxing icon Ricky Hatton has been found dead aged 46 with Amir Khan paying tribute
Former world champion Amir Khan has paid tribute to Manchester boxing legend Ricky Hatton after the 46-year-old was found dead in his home.
Hatton was born in Stockport and fought at light welterweight and welterweight during a 48-fight professional career with a record of 45 wins - 32 by way of knockout - and three losses. He was a champion in both weight classes and is widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest boxers.
Ricky Hatton’s long and glittering career
He won his first professional belt in February 1999 as he beat Tommy Peacock by TKO to clinch the central area light-welterweight title in Oldham. He became British champion in October 2000 with his 22nd win, a points decision victory over John Thaxton in London.
In his next fight he won the WBU light-welterweight title as he beat Tony Pep by TKO. Hatton etched his name into boxing folklore in 2005 with his first major world title as he retired Kostya Tszyu at the Manchester Arena to claim the IBF and The Ring Magazine light-welterweight titles.
In his next fight he defeated Carlos Maussa to win the WBA light-welterweight title with a ninth-round knock-out. The titles and accolades kept coming for Hatton as his next fight saw him become a two-weight world champion as he was crowned WBA welterweight champion with a unanimous decision win over Luis Collazo in Boston in May 2006.
He was nicknamed the Hitman and was one of the biggest names in British sport during the 2000s.
He went back to light-welterweight and clinched another world title in June 2007 as he knocked out José Luis Castillo to win the WBC crown. Hatton at this stage was already a mordern boxing legend and an icon in Britain. His next fight was arguably his biggest of all.
The Manchester City fan fought Floyd Mayweather Jr at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, USA. Fans followed the Hitman to Nevada in their droves as Hatton was knocked out in the 10th round of the contest but returned with two wins in 2008, with his first fight of the year against Juan Lazcano held at the Etihad Stadium.
He would also fight Manny Pacquiao before hanging up his gloves in May 2009 and his final fight was a ninth round stoppage loss against Vyacheslav Senchenko at the Manchester Arena.
After his in-ring career, Hatton remained involved in boxing as a promoter and trainer. His son, Campbell Hatton, is a professional boxer.
Amir Khan tribute to Ricky Hatton
Amir Khan, who hails from Bolton, said after the news of Hatton’s death: “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. 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. Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”
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