At today’s inquest in Stockport, England, into the death of Ricky Hatton, a coroner ruled that it was unclear whether the former two-weight champion took his own life.
Alison Mutch, senior coroner for South Manchester, did record hanging as the cause of death but suicide was not recorded as the reason.
Hatton, who had significant levels of alcohol in his system at the time of his death (more than twice the UK drink drive limit), was found on a pool table in his home on September 14, 2025. There were no notes, nor any evidence that his death was premeditated.
The post-mortem did identify brain changes consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease caused by repeated head trauma - surely a consequence of his illustrious career in boxing.
Several members from Hatton’s family made statements, all of which documented the former fighter being in a psychologically good place. However, there were admissions of occasional mood swings, confusion and forgetfulness, all common symptoms of CTE. Regardless, his death came as a complete shock to those closest to him.
His son, Campbell Hatton, disclosed details of his father’s troubles in retirement but added that he “was in the best place he’d been in years”.
Jennifer, Hatton’s former partner and mother to his two daughters, reported that Hatton had been in good spirits during a meal they all shared on September 12. He was making plans with his daughters for the future, including going out to see him box for a scheduled comeback in Dubai later in 2025.
Hatton, 45-3 (32 KOs), last fought in 2012 but should be remembered for his wonderful peak years when he became a national treasure in the UK. He defeated Kostya Tszyu in 2005, before he went on to beat Jose Luis Castillo, and then capture the hearts of the world with a stirring effort against Floyd Mayweather in 2007.
