The Inquest of a Sporting Legend: Ricky Hatton's Tragic Passing
The tragic death of former boxer Ricky Hatton, known as 'The Hitman', has left the sporting world in mourning. The 46-year-old, a former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion, was found unresponsive at his home in Hyde on September 14th. The inquest into his death, opened and adjourned at South Manchester Coroner's Court in Stockport, revealed a deeply concerning sequence of events.
Hatton's manager, Paul Speak, discovered him at their home, indicating that he had been found by his manager and not by family members. The last time Hatton was seen by his family was on September 12th, appearing well and healthy. However, the following day, he failed to show up for an expected event, raising concerns.
On the tragic day of his death, Speak, representing the family in court, went to Hatton's home to prepare for a flight to Dubai. It was there that he found Hatton unresponsive. The senior coroner, Alison Mutch, confirmed that the cause of death is still under investigation, with hanging as the initial indication. Tragically, no family members were present during the discovery and the inquest.
A full inquest has been scheduled for March 20th, providing an opportunity for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding Hatton's death. The sporting world has already begun paying tribute, with fellow boxer Amir Khan calling him 'one of Britain's greatest boxers' and Tyson Fury labeling him a 'legend'.
Hatton's popularity was evident in the outpouring of support from his fans. Over 30,000 loyal supporters traveled to Las Vegas for his highly anticipated title bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2007. The impact of his death was further demonstrated by the thousands who lined the streets for his funeral procession last week, a testament to his enduring legacy in the world of boxing.