Hatton cause of death confirmed at inquest

Boxing great Ricky Hatton died by suicide, an inquest heard today.

An inquest was opened into his death at South Manchester Coroners' Court with coroner Alison Mutch announcing the cause of death.

She told the court Hatton was found unresponsive in his bedroom on September 14 by his manager and long-time friend Paul Speak.

He was due to accompany the fighter to Dubai for a press conference to officially announce his comeback fight.

Hatton was laid to rest on Friday, October 12, at Manchester Cathedral. Friends, family, and celebrities lined the streets to pay their respects as his procession passed significant landmarks in the city.

Hatton, nicknamed 'The Hitman', held multiple world championships at super-lightweight and one at welterweight during a 15-year professional career.

The British boxing great had been due to make a comeback to the ring in December.

Hatton's stellar career included epic fights against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, a legendary triumph over Kostya Tszyu.

A unique career

Hatton held multiple world championships in the super-lightweight and welterweight divisions during his boxing career which spanned from 1997 to 2012.

He built a passionate fanbase as he rose through the ranks and won the British super-lightweight title in 2000. His popularity reached across sport and beyond.

In 2005, in one of the most memorable nights in British boxing history he dethroned the great Kostya Tszyu to become a world champion at the MEN Arena in his Manchester hometown, which saw him recognised as the best fighter in the division. He then beat Carlos Maussa to unify the IBF and WBA titles.

Hatton made his welterweight debut the following year, claiming the WBA title by defeating Luis Collazo. After reclaiming the IBF super-lightweight belt in 2007, he brought a host of supporters over to Las Vegas when he took on another boxing great, in Floyd Mayweather. The American superstar handed Hatton the first defeat of his professional career.

He took on the best of his era when he returned to Las Vegas to fight Manny Pacquiao in 2009.

Hatton retired in 2011 but made a comeback in 2012, where he was beaten by Vyacheslav Senchenko. He was due to make a comeback later this year.

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