Ricky Hatton’s life was a story of triumph shadowed by torment. A hero of Manchester and one of Britain’s most beloved fighters, his highs were dazzling — yet the lows that followed never truly left him.
Just weeks before his untimely passing at 46, Hatton was planning a December return to the ring, rebuilding his relationships, and embracing a rare peace after years of turmoil. For the first time in a long while, “The Hitman” seemed to have rediscovered himself.
Ricky Hatton’s Cause of Death Imminent
Now, with an inquest scheduled for October 16 at South Manchester Coroners’ Court, the cause of his death is set to become public. But for many fans, that knowledge is the last thing they want. Social media has lit up with sentiment urging the public to remember Hatton for who he was, not the circumstances of his passing.
One fan wrote, “I don’t want to know the details — let me remember the fighter, not the tragedy.” Another added, “Whatever happened, Ricky was my hero. The inquest shouldn’t change that for us.”
This comes after Hatton’s friend and lifelong manager, Paul Speak, who discovered him at his Manchester home, said he doesn’t believe Ricky “meant” to leave his loved ones that night. Amid speculation over Hatton’s mental state, fans now hope the inquest details are kept private — a final act of respect for a man who gave so much to the sport and the city that adored him.
From Vegas Lights to Inner Darkness
Hatton’s rise to superstardom was meteoric — his wins over Kostya Tszyu and José Luis Castillo cemented his legacy long before the glamour of Las Vegas beckoned. But after defeats to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the curtain of invincibility fell hard.
In later interviews, Hatton openly admitted those losses left him “broken inside.” He carried the weight of feeling that he had let his fans down — an unbearable burden for a man who prided himself on never backing away from a fight.
The Comeback and the Calm Before the Storm
Yet, in recent years, Hatton had begun to heal. His relationship with his parents was back on track, and his bond with his children had become his greatest joy.
He spoke often about finding peace, training fighters, and focusing on the next chapter. Hatton had lined up a December exhibition. Friends said he was “laughing again,” preparing to travel for the WBC convention, and even taking his girls to see Oasis.
Those close to him insist he was in “a good place.” His manager and lifelong friend, Paul Speak, was due to pick him up for a flight to Dubai when he found him at his Manchester home. Speak said he believes Ricky “didn’t intend” what happened — a sentiment echoed by fans who now want the inquest details kept away from the public so that they can remember their hero without a label attached to his passing.
A Farewell Fit for a Champion
On Friday, Manchester stopped to say goodbye. Thousands lined the streets as Hatton’s coffin, carried by his brother Matthew, made its way into Manchester Cathedral. Tyson Fury, Liam Gallagher, Wayne Rooney, and Claire Sweeney were among the mourners who paid their respects.
But it was Ricky’s daughter, Millie, whose words broke every heart in the room. Standing before the packed cathedral, she asked, “Why didn’t you reach out? Why did you feel that way?”
She spoke not as the daughter of a superstar, but as a child who had lost her hero — vowing that her love for him would never fade.
A Painful Verdict Ahead
The inquest, set for Thursday, October 16, will officially open the final chapter of Hatton’s story. Police have confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. Still, many fear the proceedings may reveal things that should have remained private.
What any verdict cannot take away from Ricky Hatton is his impact on boxing. He was a fighter who wore his heart on his sleeve and his city on his back — a working-class warrior who connected with people because he was one of them.
For a man who gave everything to his fans, the tragedy is that he never believed he had given enough. Fans now hope to remember Ricky Hatton as the fighter, the father, and the Manchester hero — and nothing more.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.