Ricky Hatton’s former girlfriend Chelsea Claire is mourning the boxing legend’s untimely passing at the age of 46.

Hatton was found dead in his home in Hyde, Tameside Sunda

y morning. Since the news broke, the former pugilist has been publicly honored by many in his home country of England and beyond.

Claire, a model who is 14 years younger than Hatton, met at a bar in Tenerife in 2023 and began a relationship. While the pair did not last, the impact Hatton left on the striking blonde die.

Claire shared her feelings on her former partner in an Instagram story post Sunday.

“You were an inspiration…”

Chelsea Claire on Ricky Hatton

Like many others, Claire has been left devastated by Hatton’s surprising death.

“Heartbroken doesn’t begin to cover what myself and the rest of the world are feeling,” Claire wrote on Instagram.

“You were an inspiration to many and I was lucky to call you my partner. You will be missed so much.”

As tributes to Hatton continue to pour in, his cause of death has still not been publicly identified.

Foul play is not suspected

Authorities found Hatton’s body at home just before 7 a.m. Sunday morning.

According to the Greater Manchester Police, “suspicious circumstances” are not suspected to have played a role in Hatton’s death.

“Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances,” Greater Manchester Police said.

A multi-time world champion during his 15-year professional boxing career, which ended in 2012, Hatton dealt with numerous physical and mental health issues over the years.

‘I just went on the war path.’

Hatton was open about his struggles with alcohol, drugs and depression. He survived addiction and multiple suicide attempts.

“I just went on the war path. I was suicidal. I tried killing myself several times, couldn’t do it. So then I thought to myself I will drink and drug myself to death,” Hatton told BBC in 2022, per Daily Mail.

Recently though, the former light-welterweight title holder had been preparing for a comeback fight in Dubai this December, telling people he was “in such a good place” mentally and physically leading up the bout.

Tragically, we won’t get to see Hatton return to the ring.

This story was originally reported by Men’s Journal on Sep 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.