Boxing champion Ricky Hatton, 46, was found hanged by his manager at his £1.7million home, inquest hears

During the investigation, it was learned that boxing champion Ricky Hatton was hanged at his home by his manager.

The star died at his £1.7 million home in Hyde, Manchester, on September 14, aged just 46.

His body was discovered by his longtime manager and friend Paul Speak, who attended today’s brief hearing with no family members in attendance.

The case was brought before senior coroner Alison Mutch in South Manchester after thousands of supporters took to the city’s streets ahead of Hatton’s funeral last Friday.

The hearing, which lasted less than five minutes, heard that Hatton was last seen alive by family members on September 12.

Court heard how he ‘looked good’ but Hatton, who lives alone, could not attend the event he was expected to have the next day.

The coroner said that on the morning of September 14, Mr Speak arrived at the house to take Hatton for a flight to Manchester Airport.

However, Hatton’s manager found him ‘unresponsive’ as he had a ‘ligament’ around his neck.

The provisional cause of death was announced as execution.

Boxing icon found at his Manchester home

The coroner said Mr Speak attended the hearing on behalf of the family and the boxer’s full name was Richard John Hatton.

Ms Mutch added: “I will be requesting the full police file in relation to the investigation and taking statements from other witnesses, including Mr Hatton’s GP.”

The full investigation is scheduled for March 20 next year.

Stars including Liam Gallagher, Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury were among those in attendance for the special memorial service held at Manchester Cathedral.

The late boxer’s 24-year-old son Campbell, who followed his father into the ring, and his daughters Fearne (12) and Millie (13) also shared the commemoration ceremony.

Mr Speak had previously recalled the ‘shock and confusion’ he discovered when he let Hatton in before ‘hearing the music coming from above’.

He told Boxing News magazine: “I firmly believe he had no intention of doing this… He had everything to live for.”

‘The lights weren’t on, I thought that was weird. I thought you fell asleep, but that’s not unusual. People sleep excessively.

‘I heard music coming from upstairs so I went upstairs… I looked at it… I had to take some time to process it.

‘I was in shock, confusion, loss and many other emotions. Then I called the police and ambulance.

‘But I firmly believe that he had no intention of doing this. ‘That’s for the coroner to determine, but he had everything to live for.’

Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther touch Ricky Hatton’s coffin after the funeral

Claire Sweeney leaves ex-boyfriend Ricky Hatton’s funeral

Liam Gallagher and partner Debbie Gwyther at Ricky Hatton’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral

Hatton had arranged to take his daughters Millie and Fearne to see Oasis play and was planning a return to boxing by spending a Christmas holiday in Tenerife.

The former world champion had disclosed suicidal thoughts and problems with addiction in the past, but his family said he was in a ‘good place’ before his death.

His latest post on Instagram showed he’s been keeping fit in the gym ahead of his expected return to the ring in December.

The Mancunian also filmed an uplifting video for a bullied child during his final week.

Just a day after his death, he was due to fly to Dubai to sign a contract confirming his return to boxing with a match against Eisa Al Dah.

But alarms were raised after Hatton failed to show up for a boxing match of one of his own fighters on Saturday and found Mr Speak’s lifeless body the next morning.

Hatton’s manager said: ‘If this had happened 10 years ago it wouldn’t have been such a shock.

‘I’ve been with Ricky to the highest mountains in boxing and to the deepest abyss in life.’