The circumstances surrounding the death of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton will be made public in the coming days, with the first inquest into his tragic death taking place next week. Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday, September 14, and the devastating news sent shockwaves through the sporting world and prompted an outpouring of tributes from some of boxing’s biggest names.
His funeral took place on Friday, with thousands of mourners taking to the streets of Manchester to pay tribute to his burial. Renowned faces were in attendance including Tyson Fury, Liam Gallagher, Wayne and Coleen Rooney and Hatton’s ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney.
While the former world champion’s cause of death has not been publicly revealed, details surrounding his death will now be known as police – who do not consider his death suspicious – have referred the case to the coroner.
An inquest has now been formally scheduled to begin and a hearing will take place at South Manchester Coroner’s Court in Stockport on Thursday, October 16 at 9am. The low administrative hearing will be chaired by senior county coroner Alison Mutch.
Opening an inquest usually involves hearing evidence about the identity of the deceased along with brief circumstances surrounding his or her death. The coroner then determines whether a full inquest is necessary and sets dates for any required future hearings.
The ruling came after Hatton’s friend and manager, Paul Speak, recalled finding the former boxer’s body at his Manchester home and revealing the “truth” about what happened to him.
Speak, who arrived at Hatton’s home to take him to the airport, told Boxing News: ‘The lights weren’t on, which I found strange.
“I thought he had overslept, but that’s not unusual. People are sleeping. So I went inside – I have the key – shouting, ‘Rick, Rick, wake up! I heard music coming from upstairs, so I went upstairs… I looked at him… 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 for the coroner to determine that, but he had something to live for.”
Insisting that Hatton was “in a really good place” before his sudden death, Speak continued: “He had arranged to take his daughters to the Oasis show next week. He was planning to go to Thailand for the WBC convention and vacation after his fight.”
“He has just booked a flight to Tenerife for Christmas. I want to reveal the truth otherwise people will just speculate.”
At Hatton’s funeral, his children remembered their slow father in a series of heartbreaking speeches, and his 13-year-old daughter Millie asked him: “Why haven’t you reached out?”
Paying tribute in front of a packed Manchester cathedral, she reportedly said: “Why did you feel like that? Why didn’t you contact us to tell us how you felt?”
“I can’t lend a hand but think that you will never walk me down the aisle, that you will never meet my children and grandchildren, that you will never be here to see me leave school or even grow up.
“I hope you never think you’ve let me down, because I would never think that. I love and miss you unconditionally.”
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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