Tragic boxer Ricky Hatton was found dead by his manager who went to check on the star after he failed to turn up at a fight event, according to Steve Bunce.
Ricky Hatton was found dead by his manager who went to check on him after he failed to turn up at a fight event, according to Steve Bunce.
The 46-year-old boxer’s body was found at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester on Sunday (14.09.25) and now BBC boxing commentator Bunce has revealed the grim discovery was made by Ricky’s long-term manager Paul Speak, who grew concerned after his pal missed an appearance in Bolton on Saturday night (13.09.25) and let himself into the star’s house the following morning.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday, Bunce explained: “On the Saturday night, Ricky hadn’t gone to a boxing show. Speaky [Paul Speak] had found out Sunday morning. Speaky went round and let himself into the house.
“In fact it was Paul Speak who found his great friend and the people’s champion Ricky Hatton. Speaky deserves a little bit of love. You can’t even begin to imagine.
“It’s a 25-year relationship they’ve had as his commercial and business manager, but more than that it’s his close friend. It’s his confidant.
“I can’t think of another relationship like it in sport to be perfectly honest. So Speaky was the one that found him.”
Since news of his death became public, Hatton’s famous friends and fans have shared their condolences including Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher – who declared he was “absolutely devastated” by his pal’s death – while Sir David Beckham and boxing great Manny Pacquiao also paid tribute.
Hatton’s family expressed their devastation in a statement shared through Greater Manchester Police which remembered the sport star’s “kindness, humour and loyalty”.
The statement read: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard. “Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather,and brother, and a true friend to many.
“He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
“To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions – a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it. “
He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.”
Ricky Hatton was ‘found dead by his manager’
