Ricky Hatton, British Boxer and Former World Champion, Is Dead

Sports|Ricky Hatton, British Boxer and Former World Champion, Dies at 46

Ricky Hatton, the British boxer and former world champion, has died, the World Boxing Association said on Sunday. He was 46.

The police in Manchester, England, said that the body of a 46-year-old man was found on Sunday morning.

A member of the public called the police at 6:45 a.m., according to the statement, which did not identify the individual, according to police rules.

“There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances,” the statement said.

Hatton retired in 2012, after a 15-year professional career that included World Boxing Association light-welterweight titles and welterweight world championships. He finished 45-3 in 48 bouts.

“A true champion, an indomitable spirit and a legend of the sport,” the W.B.A. said on Instagram.

Hatton had a perfect 43-0 record until he was defeated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007, and his second loss came in 2009, when Manny Pacquiao knocked him out.

After his second defeat, he said in 2011, he slipped into a depression.

“I contemplated retirement and didn’t cope with it very well,” Hatton told the BBC. “For someone in my position, taking drugs once is nothing short of disgraceful. The reason behind my actions and the way I was behaving wasn’t a drink or drugs thing, it was depression. I was so down, I was crying and breaking out and contemplating suicide.”

In 2007, Hatton was named a member of the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to sports.

This is a developing story.