Inside the Final Hours of Ricky Hatton: CCTV from Hyde Street Shows His Last Walk Home – Just Hours Before Police Found Him Lifeless. The Timeline Nobody Wanted to See
The sudden and tragic death of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton at the age of 46 continues to send shockwaves through the sports world, with new, heartbreaking details emerging about his final hours. In a development that has left fans and family in utter devastation, CCTV footage from a quiet street in Hyde, Greater Manchester, has captured what appears to be Hatton’s last walk home. The grainy images, obtained by local media and shared across social platforms, show the former world champion strolling alone along Bowlacre Road late on Saturday evening, September 13, 2025—just hours before his lifeless body was discovered the following morning. This chilling timeline, pieced together from police reports, witness accounts, and now this poignant footage, paints a picture of a man who seemed outwardly optimistic about his future, yet spent his final moments in solitude, underscoring the invisible battles he fought long after hanging up his gloves.
Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, born in Stockport on December 6, 1978, was more than just a boxer; he was a symbol of Manchester’s grit and heart. With a professional record of 45 wins (32 by knockout), five losses, and two draws, Hatton captured world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, most memorably dethroning Kostya Tszyu in 2005 in front of a rapturous home crowd at the Manchester Evening News Arena. His aggressive style, infectious personality, and unwavering loyalty to Manchester City made him a national treasure. Even in retirement since 2012, Hatton remained a fixture in boxing, training fighters like Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world title in 2017. Just weeks before his death, he announced a thrilling comeback fight against Eisa Al Dah on December 2 in Dubai, an eight-round exhibition that promised to reignite his passion and allow his daughters to see him in the ring for the first time.
Yet, beneath the bravado, Hatton grappled with profound personal struggles. In his 2013 autobiography Hitting Below the Weight, he detailed battles with depression, alcohol addiction, and cocaine use, including multiple suicide attempts. “I was suicidal. I tried killing myself several times, couldn’t do it. So then I thought to myself I will drink and drug myself to death,” he wrote. Despite rehab stints and reconciliations with family, including his parents Ray and Carol after a nine-year rift over finances, Hatton had spoken recently about turning a corner. His family echoed this in a statement on September 17: “He was in a good place. To all our knowledge, despite his well-documented struggles, Richard was excited for the future.” His suitcase was packed for a promotional trip to Dubai, and he had been planning family celebrations there.
The timeline of Hatton’s final days, now illuminated by the CCTV footage, begins on Friday, September 12, 2025. According to boxing commentator Steve Bunce, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Hatton missed a scheduled gym session that day—a rarity for the disciplined fighter who had been rigorously training for his comeback. “Apparently, talking to people, he didn’t show up on Friday at the gym,” Bunce revealed, noting the concern it sparked among his team. Hatton had shared a video on Instagram just days earlier, on September 12, showing himself powering through a 5k treadmill workout to Ed Sheeran’s “Sapphire,” captioning it with heavy breaths: “Another 5k… good sweat on.” The clip, which has since garnered millions of views, depicted a fit and focused Hatton, grinning at the camera in his home gym, oblivious to the tragedy looming.
Saturday, September 13, unfolded with a mix of joy and foreboding normalcy. Earlier in the day or the previous evening, Hatton enjoyed what his family described as a “lovely meal” with his daughters Millie and Fearne at Thai Botanico restaurant in Manchester, followed by a visit to a local safari center. Photos posted on his Instagram weeks prior—but referencing this outing—showed him beaming proudly beside the girls and his granddaughter Lyla, captioned: “Lovely meal tonight as always in @thaibotanico & up in the safari centre with my @xmilliexxhattonx & @fearne.hatton_2013.” These images, now heartbreaking in hindsight, captured a devoted father and grandfather mending bonds and looking forward. “His bag was packed for a trip to Dubai to promote his comeback fight, and he was planning a celebration there with his daughters—they were finally going to see him box for the first time,” the family statement added.
However, the evening took a concerning turn. Hatton was expected to attend a local boxing show that night, where one of his trainees was competing. He failed to appear, raising immediate alarms among his inner circle. His long-time manager and close friend, Paul Speak—affectionately known as “Speaky”—grew increasingly worried. This absence, combined with the missed gym session, prompted Speak to check on him the next morning.
Enter the CCTV footage that has gripped the nation and beyond. Obtained from a residential security camera on Bowlacre Road—the very street where Hatton’s five-bedroom home stands—the video shows a figure believed to be Hatton walking alone toward his property around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 13. Dressed in casual attire—a tracksuit and trainers, with his hands in his pockets—the footage depicts him moving at a steady pace, head slightly bowed, under the dim streetlights of the quiet Hyde suburb. The clip, lasting just 20 seconds, has been described by locals as “eerie” and “heart-wrenching.” One neighbor, speaking anonymously to the Manchester Evening News, said, “He used to walk about in Hyde and he would let on to anybody. Seeing him like that, alone at night, it’s just devastating.” The footage, first reported by News.com.au and shared widely on X, marks the last visual record of Hatton alive, amplifying the tragedy of his isolated final steps home.
Sunday, September 14, dawned with unimaginable sorrow. At approximately 6:45 a.m., a concerned Paul Speak let himself into Hatton’s home on Bowlacre Road after receiving no response to calls and texts. Tragically, he discovered Hatton’s body. Greater Manchester Police were called shortly after, arriving to confirm the death of the 46-year-old. “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death,” a GMP spokesperson stated. A post-mortem examination is ongoing to determine the exact cause, but speculation—fueled by Hatton’s history—has included cardiac arrest, overdose, or suicide. Officials have urged the public to avoid conjecture until results are released.
The emergence of this CCTV timeline has intensified the grief, serving as a stark reminder of life’s fragility. On X, posts about the footage have exploded, with users sharing the clip and expressing anguish. One viral post from @AussiePrideFQM linked to the News.com.au article, captioning it “Tragic final footage of Ricky Hatton hours before boxing icon’s death,” garnering hundreds of views and comments like “This is too much. Rest in peace, Hitman.” Tributes have poured in from across the globe. Hatton’s son, Campbell, a promising boxer himself, posted: “Heartbroken isn’t the word. Dad, you were my hero, my best mate.” Brother Matthew shared childhood photos, writing of their unbreakable bond. Rivals like Manny Pacquiao and promoters like Eddie Hearn lauded his warrior spirit, while Oasis’s Noel Gallagher, a longtime friend, called him “like a brother.”
In Hyde, a police cordon surrounded Hatton’s £1.75 million home, now a focal point for mourning. Fans have created a makeshift memorial outside, leaving flowers, boxing gloves, and Manchester City scarves. Hyde United FC, the local team near his residence, expressed being “devastated,” and a book of condolence is being prepared for public tributes. During the Manchester derby on September 14, Etihad Stadium held a minute’s appreciation, with manager Pep Guardiola visibly emotional.
This timeline—gym miss, family joy, boxing no-show, solitary walk, and discovery—has reignited urgent discussions on mental health in sports. As Bunce poignantly noted, “The hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind.” Hatton’s ex-girlfriend Claire Sweeney, sharing his final workout video, added to the chorus: “Ricky, you were the people’s champ. We adored and cherished you.” For a man whose life was a whirlwind of triumphs and trials, these final hours reveal the quiet vulnerability behind the legend. As his family requests privacy amid the investigation, the world reflects on a champion whose legacy endures, even as his story ends too soon.
