Former world champion Ricky Hatton found dead

The’former British boxer Ricky Hatton, a multiple world champion in the super lightweight, welterweight and superwelter categories, has died at the age of 46, just two months after announcing his return to the ring after a 13-year absence.

Hatton was found lifeless at his home in Hyde, northwest’England, and police said they were not treating the death as suspicious.

Popularly nicknamed “The Hitman” partly for his aggressive style, Hatton was one of the most popular and successful British boxers of his generation, with 45 wins in 48 fights as a professional.

He scored major world victories against Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo and suffered defeats only by such outliers as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.

After leaving the ring, he became a successful trainer, but he made no secret of the fact that he suffered from mental health problems. Last July he had announced that he would return to boxing in a professional bout against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai in December.

Hatton was a Manchester City fan and the club said it was very touched by his death, calling him one of the “most beloved and revered supporters” of the club. A minute’s silence will be observed before this afternoon’s Premier League derby against Manchester United.