Ricky Hatton died by suicide and was found by manager, coroner told

Boxing legend Ricky Hatton died by suicide and was found by his manager, a coroner’s court hearing has been told.

Senior coroner Alison Mutch oversaw the inquest opening to Hatton’s death at Manchester South Coroner’s Court on Thursday morning.

The court was told Hatton was found ‘unresponsive’ at his home on the morning of September 14.

Ms Mutch said a post-mortem examination was carried out and while the full results were not confirmed, a provisional cause of death was given as ‘hanging’ ahead of the full inquest on March 20 next year.

Paul Speak, Hatton’s long-term manager and close friend, found his body at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester.

Speak, who was present in court on behalf of Hatton’s family, was due to accompany Hatton to Manchester Airport for a flight to Dubai.

The court heard Hatton was last seen by family members on the Friday night before he died and ‘appeared well’ during a dinner.

He was due to attend an event on Saturday but did not turn up, the court heard.

Hatton, one of the best boxers of his generation and a British sporting icon, was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester.

Stockport-born fighter Hatton won world titles in two weight divisions and fought all-time greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao during his celebrated career.

Hatton’s death took the sporting world by shock and an emotional tribute was held at the Manchester derby between City and United on the day he was found dead.

A minute’s applause was held for Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, a lifelong Man City fan, and his picture was displayed on screens around the Etihad Stadium.

Hatton – who leaves behind three children, Campbell, 24, and teenagers Millie and Fearne – had plans to return to the ring in a fight in Dubai in December.

Organisers said the contest would be a professional bout, but it was unclear whether it would be fully sanctioned and add to his tally of 48 professional fights.

After Hatton’s body was found, Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man.

‘There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.’

Hatton spoke openly about his battles with depression since retiring from boxing and discussed his mental health issues in a documentary in 2023.

Following his passing, a statement from Hatton’s heartbroken family insisted his memory will ‘forever remain in our hearts’.

‘He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him,’ a statement from the family read.

‘As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.

‘Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.

‘Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply “Richard”, our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many.’

Thousands of mourners lined the streets to pay tribute to Hatton at his funeral in Manchester last week.

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney were among the celebrities who attended the service.

His son Campbell said during the service: ‘I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you, dad, and that we won’t be making any new memories – but the ones we did I will cherish forever.

‘Growing up I looked up to my dad in every aspect of life whether it be following in a career in boxing like he did or the way he carried himself out of the ring.

‘But all of that was fuelled by the love I had and always will have for him.’

Hatton’s mother Carol, meanwhile, said in a statement read on her behalf: ‘Richard was adored by his army of fans – the People’s Champion, and he would say that’s how he would want to be remembered.

‘Long before this accolade he was our little champion from the day he was born.’

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