Ricky Hatton, known throughout his career as “The Hitman,” was one of Britain’s most successful and popular boxers of the modern era. Born on 6 October 1978 in Stockport, Cheshire, England, Hatton grew up in the Manchester area, where his close ties to the local community helped shape his later popularity as a fighter who carried the support of a loyal fan base. His career combined domestic dominance with significant world-level achievements, and he became a two-weight world champion whose all-action style and relentless pressure earned him a place among the most memorable British fighters of his generation. Standing 5ft 7in with a 65-inch reach, Hatton fought from an orthodox stance, relying on aggressive forward movement, body punching, and stamina to overwhelm opponents. He passed away on 14 September 2025 at the age of 46, marking the end of a life and career that had left a deep imprint on the sport.

Hatton entered the professional ranks on 11 September 1997 at the Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes, where he forced Colin McAuley to retire at the end of the first round. In December that year, he boxed outside Britain for the first time, defeating Robert Alvarez at Madison Square Garden in New York, a rare early overseas outing that hinted at the international stage he would later command. Over the next two years, Hatton was carefully matched against a mix of journeymen and domestic opposition, building his experience while developing a reputation for stopping fights early. Wins over the likes of David Thompson, Karl Taylor, and Paul Denton displayed his capacity to apply pressure and finish contests inside the distance. His early career also saw him fight in varied venues, from local sports centres to major arenas such as Manchester Arena and Sheffield Arena, steadily transitioning from small-hall shows to headline status.

By 1999, Hatton was ready for sterner challenges, and his victory over the previously unbeaten Tommy Peacock in Oldham marked his arrival as a prospect of national significance. Wins against experienced men such as Brian Coleman and Bernard Paul followed, before Hatton claimed the British light-welterweight title in December 1999 by stopping Mark Winters. The turn of the millennium saw Hatton become a significant attraction in Manchester, and from 2000 onwards, his fights were increasingly staged at larger venues, including the M.E.N. Arena. He defeated a succession of durable and well-regarded opponents, among them Jon Thaxton, Tony Pep, and Jason Rowland, establishing himself as one of Britain’s most promising young champions. His victory over Thaxton in October 2000 was significant, as it gave him his first full 12-round experience, showing he could maintain his aggressive style over championship distance.

From 2001 through 2004, Hatton’s career was marked by consistent activity and increasing quality of opposition. He scored stoppages against seasoned campaigners like Freddie Pendleton and Justin Rowsell, and unanimous decision wins over the dangerous Eamonn Magee and former world champion Vince Phillips confirmed his ability to adapt his style against higher-level opponents. His dominance at the M.E.N. Arena during this period turned the venue into a stronghold for his career, with Hatton headlining sold-out cards supported by a fiercely loyal following. His relentless fighting style, characterised by body attacks and crowd-pleasing exchanges, made him a favourite among television audiences and ensured growing attention from international promoters. Wins over Ben Tackie, Dennis Holbaek Pedersen, and Ray Oliveira further bolstered his credentials, leaving little doubt that Hatton was ready to step onto the world stage.

The defining moment of his career came on 4 June 2005, when he faced long-reigning IBF light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu at the M.E.N. Arena. In front of a raucous home crowd, Hatton produced the performance of his life, relentlessly pressuring Tszyu until the champion retired on his stool at the end of the 11th round. This victory catapulted Hatton into international recognition and is widely regarded as one of the greatest wins ever achieved by a British fighter on home soil. Later that year, Hatton added the WBA title to his collection by knocking out Carlos Maussa in Sheffield, unifying belts and solidifying his place at the top of the light-welterweight division. In 2006, Hatton moved up to welterweight, defeating Luis Collazo by decision in Boston to claim the WBA title. However, the fight demonstrated the physical challenges of campaigning at a higher weight. He returned to 140 pounds, where he defended his status with wins over Juan Urango and Jose Luis Castillo, the latter dispatched with a memorable body shot in Las Vegas in June 2007.

Hatton’s ascent eventually led him to the biggest stage in world boxing, a showdown with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand in December 2007. Despite bringing tens of thousands of travelling fans from Britain, Hatton was outclassed by Mayweather’s precision and was stopped in the tenth round, suffering his first professional defeat. He rebounded in front of a home crowd at the City of Manchester Stadium in May 2008 with a decision over Juan Lazcano. Then he scored a stoppage of Paul Malignaggi in Las Vegas later that year, reminding observers of his quality. However, on 2 May 2009, Hatton met Manny Pacquiao in a fight that ended brutally, with Pacquiao knocking him out in the second round. The defeat effectively ended his run at the elite level, though his popularity remained undiminished. After a three-year hiatus, Hatton attempted a comeback in November 2012 against Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester. Still, he was stopped in the ninth round and promptly announced his retirement, bringing his professional record to 45 wins (32 by knockout) and 3 defeats.

Hatton’s fighting style was built around high-pressure aggression, stamina, and body punching, attributes that made him an exhausting opponent and a fan favourite. He was not without technical flaws, particularly when facing fighters with superior timing and counterpunching ability, but his willingness to meet the best of his era cemented his reputation. Beyond the ring, Hatton was celebrated for his strong connection with fans, who often travelled in large numbers to support him in Las Vegas and other venues, turning his fights into spectacles of British sporting culture abroad. His passing in September 2025 at the age of 46 brought tributes from across the boxing world, recognising both his achievements and the excitement he got to the sport. For British boxing, Hatton remains an enduring figure, remembered as a champion who combined world-level success with a uniquely local identity, bridging the community roots of Manchester with the global stage of modern boxing.