Ricky Hatton cause of death confirmed as mum recalls final hug with boxing legend

Boxing legend Ricky Hatton died from injuries ‘consistent with hanging’, an inquest has heard.

Hatton, one of British boxing’s most celebrated figures, was found dead on the morning of 14 September aged 46.

An inquest at Stockport Coroner’s Court on Friday heard the 48-year-old was found on the pool table of the games room at his home in Hyde, Manchester by his manager Paul Speak.

Senior Coroner Ms Mutch’s verdict said: ‘Richard John Hatton died having suspended himself from a ligature. (His) intention remains unclear as he was under the influence of alcohol and a neurological post-mortem found evidence of CTE.’

Hatton’s family, including son Campbell, wept in court as the findings were returned.

A pathologist recorded a cause of death as ‘hanging’ with ‘no evidence to suggest suspicious circumstances.’

A toxicology report revealed findings ‘consistent with alcohol intoxication’ at the time of death. The level of alcohol was equivalent of being twice the legal drink drive limit, the court heard.

While the there was evidence of ‘prior cocaine use’ the doctor explained there was no evidence the drug was consumed leading up to his death.

The doctor said he found evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) although this was at the “milder end of the spectrum of this disease’”‘. It was noted it was ‘not possible’ to determine the process by which Mr Hatton was affected by CTE.

A statement on behalf of Hatton’s mother Carol read she had seen her son two days before his death. While they discussed his return to the ring, she noted his ‘eyes were sad’ as they spoke.

She said ‘the last hug he gave me almost broke my ribs’.

Ricky’s son Campbell Hatton told the inquest he did not believe his father’s decision to end his life was ‘pre-meditated.’

Campbell, who fought professionally himself before retiring last year, revealed his father had already packed his bags for a trip to Dubai he was due to take the day after his death.

Campbell said his father was in his ‘best place’ for years after battles with his mental health and addiction but his family had noticed ‘significant decline in his short term memory’ in recent years.

A coroner’s court hearing last year heard the former fighter was found unresponsive by his long-time manager and close friend Speak.

Speak was due to pick up Hatton and accompany him to Manchester Airport for a flight to Dubai.

The court heard Hatton was last seen by family members on the Friday night before he died and ‘appeared well’ during a dinner.

His brother Matthew said his older sibling was ‘the best he has been by a long way’ before his death and he never expected the champion boxer to take his own life.

Hatton had also been scheduled to return to the ring last December against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai.

His tragic death rocked British sport with countless fans and high-profile sporting figures flooding social media with personal tributes to the former world champion in the weeks that followed.