Former Boxing Champion Ricky Hatton Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles

Former boxing champion Ricky Hatton has bravely shared his personal journey with mental health struggles, shedding light on the challenges he faced after his boxing career came to an end. Hatton, who is currently participating in Dancing on Ice, spoke candidly about the impact of his defeats to Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. on his mental well-being.

In 2009, after a brutal defeat to Pacquiao, Hatton reached out to a psychiatrist, revealing his darkest thoughts. He confessed, "You need to tell me today what to do, otherwise I won’t be here next week… I’m going to kill myself." Hatton’s professional and personal life were crumbling at the time, as he went through a painful split with his ex-wife Claire and experienced a falling out with his long-time trainer and close family friend Billy Graham.

The aftermath of these events took a toll on Hatton’s mental health, causing him to isolate himself and contemplate suicide. He described how he felt overwhelmed by the loss of his boxing career, strained relationships, and the absence of a support system.

It was the impending arrival of his daughter, Millie, that gave Hatton a glimmer of hope. Realizing that he needed to be there for his child, he sought help from a psychiatrist and found immense relief in sharing his feelings and experiences. The former champion emphasized the importance of reaching out to others in times of need, signaling the necessity of removing the stigma associated with mental health struggles.

Today, Hatton works as a boxing trainer and advocates for mental health awareness. He wants to help others who are going through similar struggles and assure them that tough times are not permanent. Reflecting on his own journey, Hatton stated, "It doesn’t matter what I did in the boxing ring or anything like that, I needed help." He acknowledged the current challenging times for mental health and urged individuals to speak up and seek support.

As a testament to his resilience, Hatton is now showing off his skills on Dancing on Ice, a thrilling new challenge that he embraced with a positive outlook. His story serves as an inspiration for others, reminding us that seeking help and finding hope can lead to a brighter future.