16 August 2023 , 20:19
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Ricky Hatton has opened up about his mental health struggles, recalling the time he pleaded with a psychiatrist for help repressing suicidal thoughts.
The legendary former world champion boxer has battled alcohol and drug addiction during his career and following retirement in 2012. The 44-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful boxing career, which saw him win titles at light-welterweight and welterweight across 48 professional bouts.
But his success in the ring came in between bouts of depression, which left him questioning what he had left to live for. Even the birth of his daughter Millie could not drag him out of a dark hole.
“I thought ‘what do I need to be here for?’ I didn't want to be here, I really didn't,” Hatton told the Daily Star. “My girlfriend at the time got pregnant with my daughter Millie, and I thought 'come on Rick, it's not about you now, it's about the kids, get yourself together'. Even Millie couldn't get me back on track. I was still down.
“I went to speak to a psychiatrist in Manchester and threw myself on my knees and said 'you need to tell me what to do, I can't do it on my own, you need to tell me today what to do otherwise I won't be here next week, I'm going to kill myself'."
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Thankfully, Hatton found therapy helpful and came through his darkest days. He is now focused on training other boxers and is feeling much healthier physically after losing four stone in 12 weeks ahead of a fight at the Manchester Arena in November.
Ricky Hatton has found purpose working as a boxing trainer (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)“Every time I went and saw the psychiatrist, I'd come out and just breathe a sigh of relief, it was unbelievable," he added. “It burns you up inside, you hold it in, hold it in, hold it in. [You think] I need to tell someone, need to tell someone, need to tell someone.
“You don't because you feel you can't and it goes worse and worse. When I finally went to my psychiatrist and got it off my chest, I felt like I could start my life again.”
Hatton is speaking out in support the Campaign Against Living Miserably’s (CALM) suicide prevention work. He has turned his life around and will star in his own Sky documentary, which is out later this month.
Ricky Hatton found speaking to a psychiatrist immensely helpful (Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)"I feel very very proud that my family and friends have seen me turn my life around,” he said. "I'm not just acting better, I'm physically looking better. My boxers that I train are getting a better trainer, my kids are getting a better father, my granddaughter is getting a better grandad.
"I'm just in a better place all round. People have seen where I was a few years ago when I was suicidal, to see me present day, and hear me talk and tell a story, it has a double impact.
"I used to be in the pub, I was drunk every night, taking loads of drugs, it was horrible for people to see.”
CALM operates a 5pm-midnight helpline (0800 585858) for anyone struggling. There is also a webchat service on its website
Hatton, a new and exclusive #SkyOriginal documentary, will air on #SkyDocumentaries August 31.