Few nights in modern boxing resonate like June 4, 2005, at Manchester Arena, when Ricky Hatton toppled Kostya Tszyu. On that night, the underdog from Manchester pressed forward relentlessly, refused to give an inch, and forced the champion to retire in the 11th round. Through his performance, ‘The Hitman’s grit, heart, and unstoppable spirit captured the crowd—and he created a legacy that still echoes in regional circuits. Even today, it stands as history.

Meanwhile, while fans tuned in to watch Canelo vs. Crawford in America, the boxing world received shocking news. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that former multi-time world champion Ricky Hatton had died. Fortunately, authorities are not treating the death as suspicious. Over the course of his career, the Brit fought across light-welterweight to welterweight and earned 2005 Fighter of the Year honors from The Ring magazine. As a result, the boxing and MMA world cannot stop mourning his loss.

Boxing and MMA Communities Pay Tribute to Ricky Hatton

Ricky Hatton stepped away from the sport for years, struggled with alcohol and depression, and ultimately retired in 2012. Despite these challenges, those battles tested his focus and physical readiness, but they never diminished his influence on the sport. Now, the boxing community mourns a legend who was on the brink of a comeback.

In response, UFC megastar Conor McGregor shared a picture with the Brit, captioning it, “Rest in Peace Ricky Hatton! 🙏” Similarly, Saudi promoter Turki Al-Sheikh, who recently promoted Canelo vs. Crawford, echoed the sentiment on X: “I am saddened by the tragic news of Ricky Hatton’s passing at the young age of 46. He was a great fighter and a legend in British boxing.” Notably, Hatton and Al-Sheikh met in Saudi Arabia, the same stage that hosted legends like Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao.

The loss resonates deeply across regional circuits, inspiring young fighters who grew up idolizing Ricky Hatton. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall called it a “sad day,” for Great Britain, adding, “I remember as a young boy staying up late to watch his legendary career. The original people’s champion, one of us. Rest in peace.” YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul also weighed in, releasing a statement: “Rest in peace to Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton. Boxing lost a great one way too young, one of the greatest British fighters of all time.”

Earlier, ‘The Hitman’ had returned to exhibition boxing in 2022, facing Marco Antonio Barrera in his hometown. Then, in July 2025, he announced plans to end his 13-year retirement with a professional bout set for December 2, 2025, in Dubai against Eisa Al Dah—a fight that promised to fulfill a lifelong dream.

However, fate intervened. Ultimately, fans never got to witness Hatton back in the ring, and now the boxing world must hold onto his legacy through memories, inspiration, and the fighters he continues to influence.

What were Ricky Hatton’s final words

Ricky Hatton, the Manchester legend who won 45 of 48 professional bouts over a 15-year career, last stepped into the professional ring in 2012, losing to Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Senchenko. Even in defeat, “The Hitman” defined his career with iconic wins over Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, as well as memorable battles against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Earlier this year, Hatton revealed his return to the ring. Hatton is set to take on UAE’s Eisa Al Dah in an exciting middleweight clash on December 2 in Dubai. Promoters described it as a professional match, yet it remains ambiguous if it will adhere to standard regulations or utilize unique rules, akin to the Tyson vs. Jake Paul event, featuring abbreviated and limited rounds. Hatton made a comeback in 2022, stepping into the ring for an exhibition match against Marco Antonio Barrera. The fight in Dubai would have marked a significant comeback after a long hiatus from the ring.

But an accidental eye injury from his sunglasses forced him to miss the scheduled bout. This weekend, Hatton’s final Instagram post surfaced, revealing the fighter’s relentless drive. In the clip, he runs on a treadmill, pushing himself with focus and intensity. The caption reads, “Evening run in the bag. Don’t your worry about that our kid,” while he declares, “Another 5k… good sweat on,” gasps for breath but clearly chasing the comeback he had long dreamed of.

As a result, Ricky Hatton’s legacy continues to set the standard, and remains a touchstone whenever the conversation turns to the greatest boxers in the world.