Former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton was looking forward to the future and it was unclear whether he intended to take his own life, an inquest into his death has found.
The 46-year-old was described as a loving father, in good spirits and despite past problems with alcohol and drugs, was coping “the best he has in years”, his family told Stockport Coroner’s Court.
The court heard Hatton took his daughters and granddaughter to a pub for a meal on the evening of Friday, September 12 last year.
He appeared in a normal mood and after dropping them off said he would meet them in a few days after a trip to Dubai where he was scheduled to take part in an exhibition boxing match, the court heard.
However, he failed to show up for the engagement that Saturday and at 6.30am that Sunday his manager, Paul Speak, arrived at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, to take him to the airport to catch a flight to Dubai.
Hatton was found unconscious in the upstairs game room of his home. The investigation revealed that the official cause of death was hanging.
Tests revealed the boxing champion was “well over” the legal drinking limit at the time of his death. Traces of previous cocaine and cannabis apply were also found.
An autopsy revealed brain damage identified as boxing-related chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Alison Mutch, senior coroner for south Manchester, told the court, in the presence of the boxer’s father, son and former partner and the mother of his daughters, that no notes had been found from Hatton or that police had uncovered no information suggesting he was planning to take his own life.
Concluding the inquest, she said: “He had made significant plans for the future and no notes were found to indicate that he intended to take his own life.
“I listened very carefully to all the evidence. When I add it all up, I cannot be satisfied that he intended to take his own life.
“Therefore, according to the law, I cannot commit suicide,” she said. “I have given a narrative verdict.
“His intentions remain unclear because he was under the influence of alcohol and the neuropathological autopsy revealed chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and this is my conclusion.”
Hatton’s son, Campbell, broke down in tears after the inquest and was embraced by his grandfather, 75-year-old Ray Hatton.