Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester
Jack Grealish and Ricky Hatton celebrating Manchester City winning the FA Cup in 2023
Jack Grealish and Ricky Hatton celebrating Manchester City winning the FA Cup in 2023
Everton forward Jack Grealish has said Ricky Hatton was a "true legend" in a moving tribute to the the boxer. Hatton was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester today. Officers were called to Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde, and confirmed a body had been found. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Hundreds of tributes have been pouring in following the news of his death.
Hatton held multiple world championships, as well as UK titles, and was named Fighter of the Year in 2015. The 46-year-old had been training for a return to the ring later this year with a fight planned for December.
Grealish joined Everton on loan this summer from Manchester City, the club which Hatton supported. Grealish won several trophies during his time there, including the 2023 FA Cup.
On his Instagram story this afternoon, Grealish shared a picture of himself with Hatton in the celebrations after that game.
Grealish was sporting his FA Cup winner's medal. In the caption of the post, he said: "Ahh man, RIP legend. Such sad news man. He was an absolute diamond every time I met him! True legend. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Hitman." The Stockport-born fighter would have turned 47 in October, had spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.A GMP spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14."The death is not being treated as suspicious."
Greater Manchester-born boxer Amir Khan has also paid tribute to Hatton. In a lengthy tribute posted on X/Twitter this afternoon, Khan has said Britain has lost a "friend, mentor and warrior".
Khan posted a picture of him and Hatton together on X and said: "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."
In a tribute posted on his Instagram page this afternoon, Tyson Fury issued a tribute to the Hitman He posted two pictures of him and Hatton together.
In the caption, Fury said: "RIP to the legend @rickyhatton. May he rest in peace. There will only ever be one Ricky hatton. I can't believe this, he was so young."