It is with a heavy heart that we share the news: Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton has passed away at age 46. A world champion, a warrior, and to many, a hero – not just for his victories, but for his humanity and the ways he connected with fans beyond the sport. His death is a huge loss for boxing and for everyone who admired him. Back in 2020, during lockdown, Ricky gave fans a peek behind the curtain of what he’d been watching to pass the time. He posted a video in which he spoke about being in isolation, dealing with the strain of confinement, and needing to “keep positive and keep yourself busy.”
In that same message, Ricky mentioned Babestation – a choice of entertainment that showed even champions need escapes like the rest of us. It wasn’t just about fighting, it was about staying sane, finding small comforts, and doing what you can to keep spirits up. Fans chimed in: some admired his candour, others joked about “a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.” It resonated because it felt real.
#keepsmiling #keeppositive #keepbusy #keepsafe pic.twitter.com/pxJT8PNTHH
— Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) March 25, 2020
Now, thinking of that video makes his passing hurt even more. We remember that moment not just for its odd charm or the light relief it offered, but because it revealed more of who Ricky was: someone who battled not just opponents in the ring, but also isolation, uncertainty, and the pressures of fame.
Ricky’s career was filled with great nights – defeating Kostya Tszyu, fighting Manny Pacquiao, the roar of the crowd, his loyalty to Manchester City – but what made him more than a boxer was that he let people see the man behind the gloves. His openness about his struggles made him more human, endeared him even more to his fans. He will be deeply missed. The loss of Ricky Hatton is more than the end of an era in boxing – it’s the absence of a voice that spoke honestly about life, vulnerability, and resilience.
