When did Ricky Hatton make his professional debut? Career highlights explained amid boxer's death at 46

Ricky Hatton was one of the most well-known British boxers of his era. He fought in two weight classes, won world titles, and built a loyal fan base at home and abroad. His sudden death in September 2025 at the age of 46 shocked the boxing world.

Ricky Hatton made his professional debut on September 11, 1997. His career was remembered not just for the belts he won but also for the energy he brought into the ring. He fought in a style that fans enjoyed and filled arenas wherever he competed. Many tributes have pointed to his role in shaping British boxing during the 2000s.

His journey in the sport began in the late 1990s and stretched into the 2010s. He won fights across the UK and later in the United States. His career included some of the biggest names in the sport, and his record still stands out in modern British boxing.

Ricky Hatton's professional debut and early rise

Ricky Hatton's debut was held at the Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes. He was victorious in the first round through TKO, and this indicated the warrior he would become.

By the year 2000, he had already won the British light-welterweight title. The following year, he claimed the WBU title, which he held a record fifteen times. The mentioned defensive measures helped him become known to the entire boxing community and increase his popularity.

This momentum carried him into the mid-2000s, when he began competing against the best. When Hatton started to fight in bigger arenas and gained major television coverage, he became a household name in British sports.

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Career highlights and legacy

The biggest win that Ricky Hatton had was in June 2005. He also defeated Kostya Tszyu to become the IBF, Ring Magazine, and lineal light-welterweight champion. Later in the year, he brought the division together by beating Carlos Maussa to the WBA belt.

In 2006, Ricky Hatton shifted to welterweight and became a world champion. He has, on two occasions in 2007 and 2009, fought legends Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, respectively. He lost the two matches but was still one of the largest attractions in the game. His career stats stood at 48 bouts, 45 victories, and 32 knockouts.

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He remained in the game as a trainer and promoter following his retirement in 2012. He was also a strong advocate for mental health.

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