Ricky Hatton gave a poignant interview just four days before his death where the boxing icon discussed his gratitude at having chosen not to take his own life during his earlier battle with mental health issues.
The Hitman was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester by his close friend and manager Paul Speak earlier this month. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
News of his tragic passing has plunged the sporting world into mourning, with a raft of the sport’s greats, including Tyson Fury and Amir Khan, plus icons in other sports such as Roy Keane and David Beckham, all paying tribute to Hatton.
A number of tributes were testament to Hatton’s fighting spirit both inside and away from the ring.
In the years after his retirement, Hatton had been vocal on the subject of mental health, speaking publicly on his battles with depression and suicidal ideation, as well as substance abuse – and inspiring many with his rehabilitation journey.
But Hatton himself spoke eloquently on the subject only days before his death, with a new interview released on Monday underscoring his relief that he had not died by suicide when stalked by thoughts of taking his life during his three-year retirement between 2009 and 2012.
Ricky Hatton shared his gratitude at having survived earlier battles with suicidal ideation just days before his tragic passing
Hatton has been vocal about his mental health battles during his three-year retirement in 2009 (pictured in 2001)
‘Thankfully, I didn’t get to the stage where I ended up killing myself,’ Hatton told First Round TV. ‘I got to the stage where finally for for whatever reason I decided to go and knock on someone’s door and say “please help me”.’
Hatton was also asked how he felt now, saying: ‘Never better, to be honest with you’.
‘I thank myself every day, you know, for that,’ Hatton continued. ‘I didn’t kill myself because I wouldn’t have seen me granddaughter.
‘I wouldn’t have made up with (his old trainer) Billy Graham. I wouldn’t have done my documentary, got great feedback from that.
‘I’ve done an exhibition with Marco and Tony Barrera. I went on Dancing on Ice. I probably wish I hadn’t to be honest with you,’ he joked.
‘I look at the things I’ve been able to do since, you know, positive things that have inspired others, not just myself, inspired others. And that’s that’s because I went and spoke to someone,’ Hatton continued.
I think that’s my job today. I’m a trainer now. I want to try and pass a little bit on to somebody. And if I can go and speak to someone and talk about mental health and say, “Listen, you don’t hold it in. Go and speak to someone. If you get off your chest and speak to someone, it’d be the best thing you do.”
Fans have been laying flowers and personal tributes outside Hatton’s house since his death
His beloved Manchester City planned a thoughtful tifo display during their home match against Burnley on Saturday
‘And when I get letters through the post and stuff like that, oh, Ricky, I took took what you said on board. Thanks, Ricky. You’ve really inspired me. That’s where I’m at today. That’s, you know, not only not only does it help am I helping other people, it helps me because it makes me feel good that I’ve helped others.’
On Friday, Speak shared his disbelief and shock at finding Hatton at his home, believing that his long-time friend ‘did not intend to do it’ as he had ‘it all to live for’.
‘The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange. I thought he’d overslept, but it’s not unusual. People do oversleep,’ he told Boxing News. ‘I heard music coming from upstairs, so I went upstairs… I took a look at him… I had to take some time to process it.
‘I was in a state of shock and confusion and loss and many more emotions. Then I called the police and the ambulance.
‘But I firmly believe he didn’t intend to do it. It’s for the coroner to determine, but he had it all to live for.’
Speak continued: ‘If this was 10 years ago, it wouldn’t have been as big a shock as it was. I’ve been with Ricky to the very highest mountains in boxing to the lowest chasm in life.’
Hatton first opened up on his battle with suicidal ideation in 2018, revealing that a crisis in his career, and frayed relations with both Graham and his mother and father had left him ‘not caring if (he) lived or died’.
‘I’d come into the gym to train and the boys felt I was all right but I’d go home and sit there crying,’ Hatton said in an interview at the time.
Hatton’s friend and manager Paul Speak shared his shock and confusion at finding him
‘Just seeing my dad drive past the gym would send me f***ing under.
‘It was an horrendous time. I’d sit at home and go days without talking.’
Such was Hatton’s enormous impact on the world of sport that the tributes have continued over two weeks after his death.
Hatton’s beloved Manchester City commissioned a tifo display ahead of their home match against Burnley, with a number of family members – including his son Campbell – in attendance at the Etihad.
Flowers were place on Hatton’s empty seat, and Campbell looked visibly moved by the displays on Saturday afternoon.
Fans will have another opportunity to pay their respects to the fighter, with Hatton’s memorial service set to take place on Friday October 10 at Manchester Cathedral.
While entry to the cathedral itself is ticketed, the procession route will be published ahead of the event.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit thecalmzone.net/get-support
