Ricky Hatton, the former world boxing champion, has died aged 46 – just weeks after announcing a dramatic return to the ring.

The legendary boxer was discovered at his residence in Greater Manchester this morning. A police presence is established outside, and his death is currently not considered suspicious.

A representative from Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Officers were alerted by a member of the public to visit Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 am today where they discovered the body of a 46-year-old man. There are presently no suspicious circumstances believed to be involved.’

Daily Mail Sport understands that friends were initially concerned last night, when Hatton failed to appear at an event featuring one of his boxers. 

After retiring from the ring, he had moved in to coaching but was due to return to the sport with a fight planned in December.

Hatton, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2007, had often spoken of his struggles with mental health and drug addiction.

A devoted Manchester City fan, he was scheduled to attend the Etihad Stadium for today’s derby against Manchester United, with a spot in the corporate hospitality area.

Hatton, an aggressive and brave fighter, held multiple world and UK titles. He had one son, Campbell, who retired from boxing at 24 to become a solar panel installer in July, and two daughters, Millie and Fearne. 

British boxing icon Ricky Hatton has died aged 46

Ricky Hatton fights Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2007

The British boxing icon celebrates after winning the WBA light-welterweight title when he defeated Carlos Maussa

He won 45 of his 48 professional bouts during a stellar 15-year career. Among his career highlights were defeating Russia’s Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, but he also suffered heartbreak when he lost to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. 

In July, Hatton – who would have turned 47 next month – announced his return to boxing, with a fight against United Arab Emirates’ Eisa Al Dah scheduled for December 2 in Dubai.

Just two days ago, Hatton had shared footage of him training intensely with a punching bag as he readied himself for his return to boxing. He captioned it: ‘Thursday session in the bag. #hitman #bluemoon #getupthereboy.’ 

Boxers past and present today led tributes to Hatton as they mourned the loss of ‘one of Britain’s greatest boxers’. 

Former world champion Amir Khan wrote: ‘Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.’

Olympic boxer Anthony Fowler said: ‘Feel sick. RIP Ricky Hatton.’ 

Elsewhere, Piers Morgan tweeted: ‘RIP Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, 46. Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news.’

And Sacha Lord, Manchester’s nighttime economy advisor and owner of The Warehouse Project, said: ‘RIP Ricky Hatton. A gentle giant and absolute legend.’ He called for a minute’s silence to be held at today’s derby match between Hatton’s beloved Manchester City and Manchester United in his honour.

Hatton rose through amateur and domestic levels to pit his wits against the best boxers of his generation.

But his down-to-earth demeanour also endeared him to fans across the world, and he was open about the mental health issues he endured upon his retirement from the ring.

He overcame a fallout with his family and a court case with his former trainer Billy Graham to become a successful trainer, coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.

Ricky Hatton with his son Campbell during a public workout at the National Football Museum in Manchester in October 2024

Just two days ago, Hatton had shared footage of him training. He had a fight coming up in December

In 2023, he released a personal documentary in which charted his journey from the Hattersley estate near Manchester to headlining on the Las Vegas strip.

Hatton’s battle with mental health features prominently in the film and illustrates the ‘depression, addiction and shame’ that followed his defeats by Mayweather and Pacquiao.

It candidly revealed how the estrangement from his family for nearly a decade and the split from his coach pushed him to his absolute rock bottom and an attempted suicide. 

During the film, Hatton said: ‘I was champion four times over but I consider myself a failure. I wasn’t supposed to end this way.’ 

At the time of his official retirement, Hatton said: ‘A fighter knows when it’s not there, and it’s not there. I’ve had too many fights and burnt the candles at both ends.

‘I’ve lost four and half stone for this and my sparring was great but I’m not going to put myself through that torture again.

‘I got the answers. I was crying in the ring and no doubt I’ll be crying tonight but I’m happy. I had to go in there and find out and I did.

‘I’ve no complaints. It’s been three and a half years and you all know the story. I needed to put a few demons to rest and I said before the fight I felt I’d already won and that hasn’t changed.’

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.