Manny Pacquiao has joined the boxing world in mourning the passing of British legend Ricky Hatton, his former opponent in one of the most unforgettable bouts of the 2000s.
Hatton, a former two-division world champion, was found dead at his home in Hyde, northwest England, on Sunday evening.
He was 46.
Pacquiao, who famously defeated Hatton via a thunderous second-round knockout in May 2009, remembered his former rival not just for the brutal contest that shaped both their careers, but for the man he knew outside the squared circle.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ricky Hatton. He was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life. We shared unforgettable moments in boxing history and I will always honor the respect and sportsmanship he showed,” Pacquiao said in a statement Sunday night.
For Pacquiao, the Hatton fight was career-defining. His perfectly-timed left hand that flattened the Briton became one of the most replayed knockouts in modern boxing lore.
But the Filipino icon chose to focus instead on the courage and humanity of the man who stood across from him in Las Vegas that night.
“Ricky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey,” he added.
“My heartfelt prayers and condolences to the Hatton family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.”
Hatton’s defeat at the hands of Pacquiao was more than just a loss in the ring.
The Manchester native struggled with mental health battles, alcoholism, and drug use in the aftermath of that crushing setback.
He eventually returned in November 2012 but fell short against Vyacheslav Senchenko, bowing out of professional boxing after a ninth-round stoppage loss.
Despite those hardships, Hatton’s legacy as one of Britain’s most beloved fighters remains intact.
For Pacquiao, that respect endures long after the final bell.
