Boxer Ricky Hatton died aged 46 on Sunday, and his ex-girlfriend, Chelsea Claire, paid tribute to the iconic star with a heartbreaking post

Ricky Hatton’s ex-girlfriend ‘heartbroken’ as she brands late boxer an ‘inspiration’

Ricky Hatton’s ex-girlfriend, Chelsea Claire, is heartbroken over the news of the boxer’s death as she shared a statement on her social media page. Greater Manchester Police had confirmed the discovery of a body at his residence and stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The Stockport-born fighter was just 46 years old. A police cordon has been put in place at his residence on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde. The heartbreaking news arrives only months after the legendary fighter announced his comeback to the ring with a fight scheduled for December.

Following her death, his ex-girlfriend Chelsea – who he dated in 2023 after meeting in a Spanish nightclub – took to her social media page to pay tribute to the ‘inspiration’.

Chelsea paid tribute to her ex-boyfriend, Ricky(Image: chelsea_claire92/Instagram)

The boxing star was found dead at the age of 46 on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)

She shared a snap of herself with ex-boyfriend Ricky and wrote as the caption: “Heartbroken doesn’t begin to cover what myself and the rest of the world are feeling.

“You were an inspiration to many and I was lucky to call you my partner. You will be missed so much.”

Ricky and Chelsea met at The Dubliner Bar in Tenerife during the summer of 2023 and quickly grew close to each other. She previously opened up about meeting him for the first time and admitted she ‘didn’t know who he was’.

She told The Sun: “I didn’t know who he was but my friend offered to buy him a drink. Instead, he looked over at me and asked me what I wanted.

“I said a Fireball. We both got them then went on the dance floor most of the night. He’s not afraid to take the p**s out of himself and was doing the worm.”

The duo met in 2023 in Tenerife

Meanwhile, his other ex-girlfriend, Claire Sweeney’s message of support to him is now devastating to read after the ‘Hitman’ was found dead in his home.

The Englishman was set to face UAE fighter Eisa Al Dah at middleweight on December 2 in Dubai. Hatton was supposed to fly out to a press conference to announce the bout, but had to remain at home after sustaining an eye injury during an Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff.

In a showing of support, Coronation Street star and Hatton’s ex Claire took to Instagram to share a video of the announcement, writing alongside it: “This is brilliant.”

The press conference ahead of Ricky’s fight with Eisa Aldah was expected to take part tomorrow (Monday, September 15).