Ricky Hatton reveals knife incidents at lowest ebb

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor

Former champ couldn’t face retirement

Two–weight world title holder Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton has spoken candidly in an interview with The Sun today about thoughts of ending his life as his glittering boxing career came to an end three years ago.

Hatton, 33, was beaten in the second round of his IBO light-welterweight title bout against Manny Paquiao in May 2009 and told the tabloid that he knew his career was over but found it hard to admit that the time had come to hang up the gloves.

Retiring was a killer for me — almost literally,” said Hatton.

“I had achieved all my dreams, got world titles, an MBE, been told I was the best fighter and earned more money than I ever dreamed of.

“Then suddenly I got knocked on my ar*e and had to retire.

“I just thought, ‘What have I got to look forward to in life now? Everything else is going to be s**t’.

Now a trainer and promoter, Hatton is back loving life after finding his calling in the sport, although he had demons to battle to get to this point and suicidal thoughts were never far from his mind on more than one occasion when drug and alcohol fuelled.

“I didn’t care whether I lived or died.

“There were loads of times in the early hours when I just came home and sat on the settee, got the knife out and pressed it to my chest.

“Thank God I didn’t go through with it.”

Luckily for Hatton, he has come out the other side and is currently earning the accolades for his promoting after being named ‘European Promoter of the Year’ and has numerous undefeated boxers under his training mantle.

The likeable former champion is currently on the lookout for a new TV home for his stable as his deal runs out in June and should have no trouble finding a taker with the likes of Ryan Rhodes and Scott Quigg signed to his successful Hatton Promotions.

‘My dream is to produce Britain’s next world champ and pass on what I’ve learned to the boys," added Hatton.