UK Boxing
An inquest into the death of Ricky Hatton – fresh details will be revealed a few days after the funeral of the boxing icon
Published
7 months agoon
An inquest into the death of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton will begin on Thursday morning, just over a month after his death at the age of 46. On September 14, the body of the former world champion was found at his residence in Hyde, Greater Manchester, which sent a wave of shock through the sports community.
His funeral then took place on Friday, with thousands of mourners gathering in the streets of Manchester and many celebrities attending the service in the cathedral. A month after the tragedy, there is narrow information available about what happened to Hatton, and the cause of his death remains undisclosed to the public.
Nevertheless, further details about his death will be released on Thursday when police – who do not suspect any criminal activity – referred the case to the coroner. The inquest is formally scheduled to open at South Manchester Coroner’s Court in Stockport on Thursday at 9am and will be held before Senior County Coroner Alison Mutch.
An inquest is opened by coroners if there are reasonable grounds to believe that a death was caused by circumstances other than natural causes. Although there is no exact legal definition of a “natural” cause of death, it is generally defined as “death caused by disease in its full course, without other confounding factors.”
The opening of an inquest is a tiny administrative hearing during which the coroner formally begins an investigation into the death. The coroner will then verify the identity of the deceased and provide a medical cause of death, if determined, and may also determine the underlying circumstances of death.
The coroner will then decide whether a full inquest is necessary and adjourn the hearing to a later date for a re-hearing or final hearing. A timetable is then established for the next stages of the investigation – including collecting statements and witness reports – as well as planning any necessary future interviews.
Hatton spoke candidly about his struggles with mental health, and his 13-year-old daughter Millie gave a devastating eulogy at his funeral in which she pleaded with him: “Why didn’t you reach out?” Speaking during a service to worshipers at Manchester Cathedral, she said: “I can’t assist but think that you will never walk me down the aisle, that you will never meet my children and grandchildren, that you will not be here to see me leave school or even see me grow up.
“Why did you feel like that? Why didn’t you tell me exactly how you felt? I really hope you never think you let me down because I would never think that. I love and miss you unconditionally.”
Paul Speak, Hatton’s friend and long-time manager, was the one who found the 46-year-old’s body at his Manchester residence when he arrived to escort him to the airport. Initially believing that the former boxing champion had simply overslept, it was only when he climbed the stairs that he discovered the tragic truth.
“The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange,” he told Boxing News: “I thought he had overslept, but that’s not unusual. People actually overslept. So I went in – I’ve got the key – shouting, ‘Rick, Rick, wake up!’ I heard music coming from upstairs so I went upstairs… I looked him over… I had to take some time to process it.
“I was in shock, confusion, loss and many other emotions,” he added. “I then called the police and an ambulance. But I firmly believe he had no intention of doing that. It’s up to the coroner to determine that, but he had something to live for.
“He has arranged to take his daughters to the Oasis show next week. He was planning to go to Thailand for the WBC convention and holiday after his fight. He has just booked a flight to Tenerife for Christmas. I want to know the truth, otherwise people will just speculate.”
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UK Boxing
Anthony Joshua had “no intention” of fighting Deontay Wilder
Published
2 hours agoon
April 28, 2026
Eddie Hearn did not contact Deontay Wilder about fighting Anthony Joshua after signing a contract to fight Tyson Fury, his manager Shelly Finkel claims.
There has been speculation that Joshua could return against Wilder before he faces Fury.
Instead, the 36-year-old will return to the ring on July 25 against Kristian Prengi, before facing Fury in November.
Wilder called out longtime rival “AJ” after his victory over Derek Chisora earlier this month.
The pair have been linked to a clash since both men held world heavyweight titles in 2018, and Finkel believes Joshua had no interest in fighting the “Bronze Bomber.”
“You can’t be disappointed with something that never happened,” Finkel said Heavenly sports.
“Eddie never contacted us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder.
“Same antique story, just modern date.”
Joshua and Wilder were scheduled to fight in March 2024, but the American was defeated by Joseph Parker in December 2023.
“AJ” will fight for the first time since he knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round in December.
Ten days later, the two-time world heavyweight champion was involved in a tragic car accident that killed two of his close friends and left him with minor injuries.
Saudi Arabian boxing boss Turki Alalshikh announced that Joshua and Fury have signed a contract for their mega fight in a post on the website X on Monday, which read: “To my friends in the UK – it’s happening. This is signed.
Moments later, Joshua’s return was announced against unknown Albanian Prengi.
“It’s no secret that I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready to get back into the ring, and today is the next step in that journey,” Joshua said.
“I am delighted to have agreed to a multi-fight contract starting on July 25 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“I’m looking forward to competing and continuing where I left off.
“Like I said. The landlord will collect rent. That’s for sure.”
Fury defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov on points in his return to the ring following his retirement earlier this year.
“The Gypsy King” called “AJ”, who was watching the gala from the side of the ring, and declared that he would retire again if the fight with his rival did not take place.
However, his manager Spencer Brown revealed that he may fight again ahead of his fight with Joshua.
The post Anthony Joshua “had no intention” of fighting Deontay Wilder appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
UK Boxing
Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani – Odds and Betting Guide
Published
6 hours agoon
April 28, 2026
Naoya Inoue is the hefty favorite to defeat Junto Nakatani in an undisputed title clash on Saturday.
Inoue defends all four of his super bantamweight world titles in a huge all-Japan fight against Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome, live on DAZN.
Inoue, a top-three top-ranked pound-for-pound leader, is a 1/4 favorite Bet365 emerge victorious and inflict his first professional defeat on his rival.
“The Monster” has stopped 27 of his 32 opponents and is expected to stop Nakatani 11/10.
The undefeated 33-year-old has gone the distance in his last two outings and is valued at 7/4 for a third straight decision win.
Nakatani is also a star fighting for world champion titles in the fourth weight category.
The 28-year-old southpap is a 3/1 underdog to cause a seismic shock.
“Substantial Bang” has won five of his last six fights at the distance, and he sees his best chance of winning after a stoppage at 6/1.
Nakatani defeated Sebastian Hernandez Reyes on points from Inoue’s undercard defeated Alan David Picasso in Saudi Arabia in December, and a decision victory is valued at 10/1.

Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
- Naoya Inoue will win the fight: 1/4
- Naoya Inoue by KO/TKO/DQ: 11/10
- Naoya Inoue by decision or technical decision: 7/4
- Junto Nakatani will win the fight: 3/1
- Junto Nakatani by KO/TKO/DQ: 6/1
- Total cut by decision or technical decision: 10/10
- Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Naoya Inoue
- To win round 1: 80/1
- Win in round 2: 50/1
- To win in round 3: 33/1
- To win in round 4: 25/1
- To win in round 5: 20/1
- To win in round 6: 16/1
- To win in round 7: 14/1
- Win in round 8: 12/12
- To win in round 9: 1/12
- To win in round 10: 12/12
- To win in round 11: 14/1
- To win in round 12: 16/1
- Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
Junto Nakatani
- Win in round 1: 100/1
- Win in round 2: 100/1
- Win in round 3: 100/1
- To win in round 4: 80/1
- Win in round 5: 66/1
- Win in round 6: 50/1
- Win in round 7: 50/1
- To win in round 8: 40/1
- To win in round 9: 40/1
- To win in round 10: 40/1
- To win in round 11: 50/1
- To win in round 12: 50/1
- Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 10/10
The post Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
UK Boxing
Eddie Hearn responds to the announcement of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight with three words
Published
14 hours agoon
April 28, 2026
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are expected to fight this year (Photo: 2026 Mark Robinson)
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has been “signed, sealed and settled.” The explosive announcement was made this afternoon, shortly after Joshua’s next opponent was revealed.
The former world champion and Olympic gold medalist will face Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga on July 25, before turning his attention to his fight with the Gypsy King in overdue 2026. The date of the clash between the two British heavyweights has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to take place in the last quarter of this year.
This fight has been more than a decade in the making, especially after the 2021 undisputed heavyweight bout between the two fighters was canceled following an arbitrator’s ruling that Fury must face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy series, with the Bronze Bomber also rejecting the fee amount.
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Joshua was also scheduled to fight Oleksandr Usyk in a mandatory defense of the WBO title, which ended with the Ukrainian completely defeating him and winning the belt. Fury then defeated Wilder and Joshua met Usyk in a rematch, but again suffered defeat.
There have been discussions about a 2022 fight, but the situation became complicated when Fury repeatedly imposed his own stringent deadlines for a contract to be signed between the pair. That didn’t happen this year, as Hearn confirmed on social media.
The Matchroom boss shared a photo of himself with the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, and a beaming Joshua. He wrote: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered! AJ v. Fury continues!”
Joshua has already begun psychological warfare with Fury, writing: “It’s no secret that I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready to get back into the ring, and this is the next step on that journey. I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off. Like I said. The landlord will collect rent. That’s for sure.”
Fury has yet to respond directly, but he re-posted Alalshikh’s Instagram video confirming the news on X. Nevertheless, given the way he challenged Joshua immediately after he defeated Russian giant Arslanbek Makhmudov by unanimous decision earlier this month, Fury will be brimming with confidence.
After his triumph, he turned to Joshua and roared, “I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let’s give the fight fans what they want – the Battle of Britain. I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me, the Gypsy King, next. Do you accept my challenge?”
Of course, Joshua will first have to beat Prenga, a relatively unknown 35-year-old who has built a reputation as a formidable knockout specialist. His record is 20-1, and 20 of his victories ended by knockout. His only defeat came in February 2017, when he lost to Giovanni Auriemma in the Netherlands.
Hearn has repeatedly insisted that Joshua should have a “warm-up” fight before any fight with Fury. He most recently stepped into the ring against Jake Paul in a very lucrative bout before he survived a devastating car accident in Nigeria that tragically killed his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Anthony Joshua had “no intention” of fighting Deontay Wilder
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Throwback To Junto Nakatani’s Most DEVASTATING KO Ahead Of Naoya Inoue Clash
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