Ricky Hatton, the former world champion boxer who died in September, is believed to have killed himself, according to a provisional cause of death given at the opening of his inquest at Stockport coroner’s court.
Hatton, 46, who won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, was found dead in his home in Hyde on 14 September. South Manchester Coroner’s Court, in Stockport, heard that Hatton was found by his manager, Paul Speak.
His body was found in his home in Hyde after police received a call from a concerned neighbour, later revealed to have been his manager, Paul Speak, who, alongside Hatton’s son and brother, was a pallbearer at his funeral.
Battle With Depression
The former world champion had been open about his struggles with clinical depression and substance abuse, saying on one occasion that he “was coming off the rails” with his drink and drug use, describing himself previously as being “like a runaway train”.
The police coroner’s officer, Alison Catlow, told the inquest that Hatton was last seen by family members on Friday, 12 September, when he seemed well and there was no cause for concern.
The court heard that the next day, Hatton did not appear at an event that he was scheduled to attend, and on the morning of Sunday, 14 September, Speak went to Hatton’s home to escort him to Manchester airport to fly to Dubai.
When he didn’t get a response, Speak entered Hatton’s home, where he “found him unresponsive”. Speak called the emergency services, but Hatton was pronounced dead.
The full inquest into Hatton’s death is scheduled to begin at Manchester South Coroner’s court on 20 March 2026.
