Tragic champ Ricky had 'significant plans'

Coroner 'not satisfied' he intended to kill himself

- BY PAT HURST

FORMER boxing world champion Ricky Hatton was looking forward to the future and it is not clear that he intended to take his own life, the inquest into his death heard.

The 46-year-old was described as a doting father, in good spirits and, despite past troubles with alcohol and drugs, had been the best “in years”, his family told Stockport coroners court.

It heard that Hatton took his daughters and granddaughter out to a pub for a meal on the evening of Friday, September 12 last year. He appeared normal and after dropping them off told them he would see them in a couple of days after a trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he was due to take part in an exhibition boxing match.