Ricky Hattons heartbreaking death confession | Boxing News

Ricky Hatton died at the age of 46 on Sunday with the sporting world still reeling at the loss of a boxing icon. ‘The Hitman’ Hatton is one of the most cherished British boxers in historical past and was a multiple-weight world champion in a 48-fight profession that noticed him face the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton was discovered useless at his home in Hyde on Sunday and the Greater Manchester Police said that his death isn’t being handled as suspicious. Though he was a much-loved determine across Great Britain, Hatton struggled with mental health and was very open about his battles in the years before his passing. Speaking in 2022 to the BBC, Hatton admitted he felt nugatory and suicidal after a defeat to Pacquaio back in 2009.

He explained: “I was suicidal. I tried killing myself several times. My problems happened when I got beat by Manny Pacquiao in two rounds, which ultimately meant ‘Ricky, you need to retire now.’

“I had fell out with my dad and mom, I’d fell out with my coach Billy Graham, so that is when it go all-time low. So I just went on the struggle path. I used to be suicidal. I attempted killing myself a number of occasions, could not do it. So then I assumed to myself I’ll drink and drug myself to death.”

Earlier than that, appearing on Loose Women on ITV in 2017, Hatton conceded the disappointment of his loss to Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in 2007 also took its toll.

The boxer said: “After the [Floyd] Mayweather struggle I began ingesting a lot more closely and in the end I fell out with my dad and mom and that was tough for me and I didn’t care if I lived or died.

“I contemplated suicide many, many times. I started thinking of different ways to get through it and I thought I could drink myself to death. So consequently I got more depressed and I ended up taking drugs to enable me to drink more and it was a vicious circle.

“It was my first style of defeat as a professional after 35 fights. Even though it was Floyd Mayweather, I turned up considering I used to be going to beat him. I turned so used to success and then all of a sudden it was like ‘I’m not used to this.'”

“I attempted to kill myself a number of occasions,” he later told the BBC in another interview. “I used to go to the pub, come back, take the knife out and sit there in the darkish crying hysterically.

“If a boxer can come out and say they’re struggling and crying every day, it’s going to make a huge difference. Having gone through it, I now see it as my job to help those suffering with mental health.”

Only in March this yr, Hatton opened a new mental health unit at North Manchester General Hospital where he inspired anybody struggling to converse up: “The main thing about mental health is people don’t speak about it.

Tributes poured in from all corners of the sporting world following his death and Hatton’s family issued a heartbreaking statement to celebrate his everlasting legacy on Monday morning. It 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 broader world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s best champions — a man who gave every little thing inside the ring and wore his coronary heart on his sleeve exterior of it. He impressed generations with his combating spirit, his humility, and his love for the game. But past the titles, the nights to keep in mind, and the roar of the gang, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he got here from.

“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 privateness as we come to phrases with life without him. In the times and weeks forward, we are going to take strength from one another and from the information 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.”

For emotional assist, you possibly can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, e mail jo@samaritans.org, go to a Samaritans department in individual or go to the Samaritans web site.