British boxing legend Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton has passed away at the age of 46.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a body had been found at the sporting icon's home in Gee Cross, Hyde, early on Sunday (14 September) morning.
His death is not being treated as suspicious, police said.
A GMP spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious."
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Hatton competed as a professional boxer from 1997 to 2012, holding numerous world championships in both the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions.
Nicknamed 'The Hitman' thanks to his ferocious fists, he went up against some of the best boxers in the game during his illustrious career.
The Stockport-born star had planned to return to the ring in December and was set to face Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight contest in Dubai.
Discussing his comeback - which would have come more than a decade after his last official fight - the boxer said earlier this year: "I'm very much looking forward to it myself, to be honest with you.
"What you're trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic."
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In one of the final Instagram posts that he shared before his death, Hatton appeared to be focusing on his fitness ahead of the clash in three months.
Sharing a video of himself on a treadmill, he wrote: "Evening run in the bag. Don’t your worry about that our kid."
In a post on Tuesday (9 September), Hatton said he was two weeks into his training camp and explained: "The difference I felt today after just having one week under my belt felt great.
"Movement & fluency feeling better already. 10 rounds on the bag. After doing 10 rounds padding my fighters as well."
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Hatton retired from boxing in 2012 after being defeated by Vyacheslav Senchenko, before stepping back into the ring with Marco Antonio Barrera for an exhibition bout ten years later.
He boasted a record of 45 wins out of 48 professional fights - and 32 of his victories were scored via knockouts.
Hatton has openly discussed his struggles with mental health and depression over the years.
Tributes are already pouring in for the late 46-year-old, with fans taking to social media to share their sadness.
Tyson Fury was among those in the boxing world to share their condolences, as he said in a post on Instagram: "Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he rip. There will only ever be 1 Ricky hatton. can't believe this so young."
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Fellow fighter Amir Khan also shared a poignant message on X dubbing Hatton 'one of Britain’s greatest boxers, a friend, a mentor and a warrior'.
"As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong - we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up," Khan wrote.
"But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.
"Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible.
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"To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding.
"Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories."
Former Warehouse Project boss Sacha Lord described Hatton as a 'gentle giant and absolute legend' in a post paying tribute, while Piers Morgan described Hatton's death as 'incredibly sad news'.
One fan said: "Absolutely in shock if it's true. RIP champ."
Another wrote: "Well this one hits different, my favourite ever fighter, RIP Ricky."
A third added: "Such sad news about Ricky Hatton #RIP."
A fourth commented: "This man made me fall in love with boxing from the era of Lewis and Hatton, this has truly hit differently. RIP Ricky forever a legend and forever a part of my childhood and love for boxing."
While a fifth said: "You put Manchester on the map mate. We will all miss you."
Olivia Burke