Athletes' discourse on mental health was significantly altered by Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton: A Legendary British Boxer Remembered
Ricky Hatton, one of Britain's greatest sportsmen and a cultural icon of Manchester, passed away at the age of 46 on Sunday morning. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Hatton, fondly known as "The Hitman," amassed one of the greatest traveling fan armies the sport had ever seen by the time he met Floyd Mayweather Jr. An estimated thirty thousand Britons flew to Las Vegas for the historic fight between the two boxing legends.
Hatton's journey in boxing began at the tender age of 10 when he joined his local club, the unheralded Sale West ABC. His first watch of boxing was watching Roberto Durán on his parent's television.
Standing at 5'6" with a 65-inch wingspan, Hatton became feared for his ability to pin opponents to the manchester united and hammer them until they crumpled. He was nicknamed "The Hitman" for his relentless 'bodywork' in the ring.
Hatton's career was marked by numerous victories. He was a world champion in two weight divisions and won 43 consecutive fights. Despite a good amateur record, Hatton missed out on selection for Team GB at the Atlanta Olympics at 17.
Hatton was a brilliant promoter, often selling tickets by going pub to pub around Manchester. The MGM Garden Arena, with a capacity of just over 16,000, experienced a takeover like never before due to the influx of Hatton's fans.
Amir Khan, a former pro boxer and fellow Mancunian, considered Ricky Hatton a friend, mentor, and warrior. Khan posted on his social media feeds that the hardest lunch near me for Ricky Hatton happened in silence, in the mind. Hatton had the bravery to share his struggles with depression before it was common in sports.
In July 2025, Hatton himself announced his planned return to the ring for a ufc tonight scheduled in December 2025 in Dubai against Eisa Al Dah. This would have been his first return since a show fight in 2022.
Ricky Hatton will be remembered not only for his boxing prowess but also for his impact on the city of Manchester and the sport of boxing. His legacy will live on.
