Ricky Hatton died from suicide, a coroner has been told.
The inquest into the death of the former world champion boxer, aged 46, opened at Manchester South Coroner’s Court on Thursday.
Greater Manchester Police coroner’s officer Alison Catlow told the hearing that Hatton had been found “unresponsive” at his Hyde home by Paul Speak, his manager of 25 years, on the morning of September 14.
Speak was present for the start of an inquest opened by Alison Mutch, senior coroner for the Manchester South jurisdiction, before it was adjourned until March 20. Mutch said: “The provisional cause of death is given as hanging.”
No members of Hatton’s family attended Thursday’s proceedings, which lasted fewer than 15 minutes. Catlow told the hearing that Hatton was last seen by his family members on September 12 and that he “appeared well”.
She also said that he subsequently missed a scheduled appearance at a boxing event the following evening.
Catlow told the hearing that Speak arrived at Hatton’s home the next morning amid plans by the boxer to travel to Dubai to promote his return to the ring against Eisa Al Dah. She said it was there that Speak found Hatton “unresponsive”.
The inquest opened almost a week after Hatton’s funeral, at which Speak was among the pallbearers. Celebrities turned out in force to pay their respects last Friday, with Liam Gallagher, Tyson Fury and Wayne Rooney among the mourners.
The boxer’s brother and son also helped carry his coffin into Manchester Cathedral. Campbell Hatton told the congregation in his eulogy that the two “shared an undeniable bond”. “Never has a father and son had so much in common,” he said.
The 24-year-old, who also boxed and was trained by his father, said that he “looked up to my dad in every aspect of life”.
“All of that was fuelled by the love I had and always will have for him,” he said. “I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you, Dad. I can’t believe we’re not going to make any new memories together. But the ones I have I will treasure forever.”
Hatton’s 13-year-old daughter, Millie, also addressed her late father directly. “Why did you feel that way?” she wept. “Why didn’t you reach out about how you felt?”
Hatton’s former partner Claire Sweeney, the actress who has starred in Coronation Street and Brookside, was comforted by friends after the emotional service conducted by the Reverend Canon Grace Thomas.
Before the service, Hatton’s funeral cortège travelled westwards through the city from Gee Cross, where Hatton lived.
Hatton was such a fan of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses that he bought a replica of the Trotter brothers’ Reliant Regal three-wheel van which led the cortège as it made its way through the streets.
The procession stopped at several pubs, including Hatton’s local, the Cheshire Cheese, the Harehill Tavern and the New Inn – which was once run by Hatton’s parents. Other points on the route included Hatton’s Gym, where many tributes to the boxer had been laid, and the AO Arena, where Hatton often fought.
The hearse carrying Hatton’s sky-blue coffin – in tribute to his love for Manchester City – was followed by his Lamborghini.
Where to get help:
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111