The boxer was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester on Sunday (14.09.25) at the age of 46 and now his loved ones have released a statement through Greater Manchester Police remembering the sport star's "kindness, humour and loyalty".
The statement read: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard.
"Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather,and brother, and a true friend to many.
"He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
"To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.
"He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from."
They went on to share that they have been touched by the outpouring of love and support from fans since the tragic news broke on Sunday.
The statement added: "As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.
"It has been a source of great comfort to see just how many lives Richard touched, and how widely he was admired and respected.
"At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we come to terms with life without him. In the days and weeks ahead, we will take strength from one another and from the knowledge that Richard’s legacy - both in boxing and as a man - will continue to live on.
"Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly. With love and gratitude, The Hatton Family."
Since news of his death became public, Hatton's famous friends and fans have paid tribute including Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher - who declared he was "absolutely devastated" by his pal's death - while Sir David Beckham and boxing great Manny Pacquiao are also among those who have remembered him.
It comes after it was revealed Hatton "didn't show up at the gym" and "missed a fight" in the hours before death.
BBC boxing commentator Steve Bunce explained that Hatton sparked concerns for his welfare after he skipped a planned gym session on Friday (12.09.25) and failed to appear at a fight event in Bolton on Saturday (13.09.25).
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday, Bunce insisted Hatton's death came as a huge shock.
He said: "It's an unbelievably shocking piece of news because he was in a really good place.
"He's had some troubles, Rick. I mean, he's talked about his mental health problems, he's talked about his addictions; he's addressed them, faced them and attacked them and solved them.
"He was preparing for an exhibition fight; like it is for so many fighters, the gym's been his salvation. He was getting his body and his head in a better place ...
"Apparently, talking to people, he didn't show up on Friday at the gym, and he was meant to be at a fight last night, and he didn't show up at the fight last night, and someone went to his house this morning ... It is shocking news."
Bunce insisted the tragedy is all the more shocking because Hatton had seemingly conquered his demons and was busy preparing for an exhibition bout in Dubai later this year.
He added: "Had it been 10 years ago, when he talked openly about considering ending his life, had it been 10 years ago when he was in one of the darkest places any man can be, it would have been, I guess, understandable, but at the moment, I'm genuinely shocked by it. I mean, genuinely, I'm amazed by it ... "
