Ricky Hatton: Boxing Legend and His Legacy After Tragic Death
Ricky Hatton, a celebrated British boxer, died by suicide in September 2025. His body was found at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on 14 September, at the age of 46. Hatton had an illustrious career, being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024 after a 25-year professional career.
Hatton is remembered for his remarkable undefeated streak, having won all 38 of his professional fights before his landmark victory against Kostya Tszyu in 2005 at the MEN Arena, where he claimed the IBF light-welterweight title. One of the key moments in his early career was the 2000 bout against Gilbert Quiros in Detroit, a fight that saw Hatton face a cut and double vision but still demonstrate exceptional nerve.
His journey was not without challenges; in 2010, his former trainer Billy Graham sued him and his father over financial disputes. This conflict was settled out of court but deepened the estrangement between Hatton and his former trainer. After his peak years, Hatton struggled with alcohol abuse and depression. In 2012, he spoke about a difficult period in his life when he was indifferent to living. His later career included eight more fights over four years and ended with a stoppage loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko.
Hatton's boxing family remained at the heart of his life. His brother Matthew Hatton's sons, Jack (17) and Lola (13), are boxers, and Hatton's own son Campbell, approximately 24 years old, continues the boxing legacy. His relatives have spoken about his impact on their lives and their ongoing effort to cope with his death.
