Campbell Hatton Opens Up About Father Ricky's Final Years at Inquest
Campbell Hatton, the son of former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton, has provided a poignant account of his father's life in the years leading up to his death. Speaking at an inquest held at Stockport Coroner's Court, Campbell described Ricky as a "laid back" individual who was "hugely determined" when it came to sports.
In a statement read to the court, Campbell emphasized his father's zest for life, stating, "He lived life – in and out of the ring – at 110 per cent and always said he never regretted it. He was always generous with people. He was always extremely well loved and cherished by all of us."
Struggles and Improvements in Recent Years
Campbell acknowledged that Ricky had been open about his past battles with alcohol and drugs. However, he noted a positive shift, saying, "We felt he was in the best place he had been in recent years. The family believe he was the best he had been in years and made massive plans for the future which leads us to believe this was not premeditated."
Despite this optimism, Campbell revealed a concerning development: "Over the last two or three years we all noticed a significant decline in his short-term memory. He repeated himself constantly, had to write things down and had to be reminded about things he had to do day to day."
Inquest Findings and Verdict
The inquest, conducted on March 20, heard that Ricky Hatton, aged 46, was looking forward to the future at the time of his death in September last year. Senior coroner Alison Mutch stated that no notes were found from Hatton, and police investigations uncovered no evidence suggesting he planned to take his own life.
Concluding the proceedings, Mutch said, "He had made significant future plans and no notes were found indicating he intended to take his own life. I have listened very carefully to all the evidence. When I add everything together, I cannot be satisfied he intended to take his own life. Therefore, it is not possible in law for me to conclude suicide. I have concluded a narrative verdict."
She added, "His intention remains unclear as he was under the influence of alcohol and the neuropathological post-mortem found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and that’s the conclusion I draw."
Final Days and Emotional Aftermath
On the evening of Friday, September 12, Ricky Hatton took his daughters and granddaughter out for a meal at a pub. He informed them he would see them in a couple of days after a trip to Dubai, where he was scheduled to participate in an exhibition boxing match.
However, he failed to attend an engagement on Saturday, September 13. The following day at 6:30 a.m., his manager Paul Speak arrived at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, to take him to the airport for the flight to Dubai. Hatton was found unresponsive in the upstairs games room of his house.
The inquest determined the official cause of death as hanging. Tests indicated that Hatton was "well over" the drink-drive limit at the time of his death, with traces of previous cocaine and cannabis use also detected.
Post-mortem examinations revealed some brain damage identified as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition associated with boxing. However, a pathologist clarified that none of this damage could be definitively linked to contributing to his death.
At the conclusion of the inquest, Campbell Hatton broke down in tears and was comforted by his grandfather, Ray Hatton, aged 75. The emotional moment underscored the profound impact of Ricky Hatton's legacy on his family and the boxing community.
