Ricky Hatton tragically died at his home in Greater Manchester on September 30 and his friend Steve Bunce revealed he knew something was wrong the night before
A friend of Ricky Hatton has opened up about how he knew something was wrong the night before the boxing icon’s tragic death was announced.
The Manchester-born boxing legend was shockingly found dead at his home last month, sending ripples of disbelief through the sports world. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that he had been discovered at his Hyde residence and stated that the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Hatton, who was 46 when he died, will be laid to rest today, just four days after what would have been his 47th birthday. His death occurred just three months before he was due to make a comeback to professional boxing after a 13-year hiatus. Hatton was slated to face off against Dubai’s first professional boxer, Eisa Al Dah, in December.
Hatton’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from around the world, with his friend and pundit Steve Bunce having to respond to the tragic news on Radio 5 Live. Bunce, a leading voice in boxing, discussed the news shortly after it was confirmed, with presenter Steve Crossman ensuring Bunce was emotionally prepared to continue.
It was then that Bunce revealed that Hatton, who had been candid about his battles with depression and addiction, had failed to attend a boxing match the night before his death was announced, reports the Mirror.
Bunce revealed: “It’s an unbelievably shocking piece of news because he was in a really good place. He’s had some troubles, Rick. I mean, he’s talked about his mental health problems, he’s talked about his addictions; he’s addressed them, faced them, attacked them and solved them.
“He was preparing for an exhibition fight; like it is for so many fighters, the gym’s been his salvation. He was getting his body and his head in a better place. Apparently, talking to people, he didn’t show up on Friday at the gym, and he was meant to be at a fight last night and he didn’t show up, and someone went to his house this morning… It is shocking news.”
Just last year, Hatton – dubbed ‘the People’s Champion’ – was honoured with induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Across a 15-year professional stint, he captured world titles in two different weight classes.
The Manchester fighter claimed belts in both the welterweight and light welterweight categories, with his career-defining moment arriving in 2005 when he outpointed Kostya Tszyu to secure the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight crowns.
‘The Hitman’ faced boxing legends including Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao, initially calling time on his career following defeat to the Filipino icon in 2009. Yet he made a comeback in 2012 against Vyacheslav Senchenko, though he hung up his gloves permanently after losing to the Ukrainian fighter.
Hatton opened up about his training regime back in August, expressing how chuffed he was that his candid discussions about his struggles had motivated others.
The boxer explained: “It inspired a lot of people, you know, for me to get in shape again at the age I’m at. Especially bearing in mind all my problems I’ve had personally with mental health and stuff like that. It was nice for so many people to come up to me and go, ‘Oh, I’ve always struggled with my weight, and to see you get it off at your age.'”.
“I’ve always struggled with my mental health, and I’ve had my problems. And to see where you were a few years ago to what you’re doing now, it’s inspirational.”
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