Ricky Hatton spoke movingly about his struggles with mental health in newly-released final interview
Days before his shock passing, Ricky Hatton spoke movingly about his struggles with mental health in a newly-released final interview.
Ricky Hatton spoke movingly about his struggles with mental health in a newly-released final interview.
The former world champion boxer – nicknamed ‘The Hitman’ – was found dead aged 46 earlier this month at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester by his friend and manager Paul Speak, and a chat he gave before his shock passing has also revealed he claimed he was feeling on the best form of his life.
Police have said his death was not being treated as suspicious.
In an interview with First Round TV recorded shortly before his death, Ricky said about the depths of his depression: “Thankfully, I didn’t get to the stage where I ended up killing myself. I got to the stage where finally for whatever reason I decided to go and knock on someone’s door and say, ‘Please help me’.”
When asked how he felt now, he replied: “Never better, to be honest with you.”
Ricky continued: “I thank myself every day, you know, for that. I didn’t kill myself because I wouldn’t have seen me granddaughter. I wouldn’t have made up with 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. 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 because I went and spoke to someone.”
He added: “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.’”
News of Ricky’s passing prompted tributes across sport, with Tyson Fury, Amir Khan,Roy Keane and David Beckham among those who remembered him.
Mr Speak, who discovered Ricky’s body, said he believed his long-time friend “did not intend to do it”. He told Boxing News: “The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange. I thought he’d overslept, but it’s not unusual.
“People do oversleep. 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.”
Ricky first spoke publicly about his suicidal thoughts in 2018, saying a career crisis and fractured relationships with Graham and his parents left him “not caring if (he) lived or died”.
