The circumstances surrounding the death of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton are set to be made public in the coming days, with a first inquest hearing into his tragic passing due to take place next week. Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester on Sunday, September 14 with the devastating news sending shockwaves through the sporting world and prompting an outpouring of tributes from some of the biggest names in boxing.
His funeral took place on Friday, with thousands of mourners lining the streets of Manchester to pay their respects as he was laid to rest. Famous faces including Tyson Fury, Liam Gallagher, Wayne and Coleen Rooney and Hatton’s former girlfriend Claire Sweeney were all in attendance.
While the cause of the former world champion’s death has not been publicly disclosed, details surrounding his passing are now set to be heard after police – who do not believe his death to be suspicious – referred the case to the coroner.
An inquest opening has now been formally listed, with the hearing set to take place at South Manchester Coroners’ Court in Stockport at 9am on Thursday, October 16. The brief, administrative hearing will be presided over by the area’s senior coroner Alison Mutch.
Inquest openings typically involve evidence being heard about the identity of the deceased, along with the brief circumstances surrounding their death. The coroner then determines whether a full inquest is necessary, with dates for any required future hearings then set.
It comes after Hatton’s friend and manager Paul Speak recalled finding the former boxer’s body at his Manchester home, as he revealed “the truth” about what happened to him.
Speak, who had arrived at Hatton’s house to take him to the airport, told Boxing News: “The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange.
“I thought he’d overslept, but it’s not unusual. People do oversleep. So, I went inside – I have a key – shouting, ‘Rick, Rick, wake up! I heard music coming from upstairs, so I went upstairs… I took a look at him… I had to take some time to process it.
“I was in a state of shock and confusion and loss and many more emotions,” he added. “Then I called the police and the ambulance. But I firmly believe he didn’t intend to do it. It’s for the coroner to determine, but he had it all to live for.”
Insisting that Hatton had been “in a really good place” prior to his sudden death, Speak continued: “He’d arranged to take his daughters to see Oasis next week. He was planning to go to Thailand for the WBC convention and a holiday after his fight.”
“He’d just booked a flight to Tenerife for Christmas. I want to get the truth out, otherwise people will just speculate.”
Hatton’s funeral saw his children remember their late father in a series of heartbreaking eulogies, with his 13-year-old daughter Millie asking him: “Why didn’t you reach out?”
Delivering a tribute in front of a packed Manchester Cathedral, she is reported to have said: “Why did you feel that way? Why didn’t you reach out about how you felt?
“I can’t help but think about how you will never walk me down the aisle, how you will never meet my children and your grandchildren, how you won’t be here to see me leave school or even see me grow into an adult.
“I genuinely hope you don’t ever think you have let me down, because I would never think that. I love and miss you unconditionally.”
