Ricky Hatton opened up on mental health battle in final interview
Ricky Hatton was found dead at home earlier this month and his final interview has now been released in which he spoke candidly about his mental health
Ricky Hatton revealed the pride he felt in helping others overcome their demons in a poignant final interview filmed days before his death.
Former boxing world champion Hatton was found dead at home earlier this month at the age of 46 and will be laid to rest in Manchester next Friday. Despite his success, which saw him feature in one of the biggest fights involving a British fighter when he lost to Floyd Mayweather, Hatton struggled with depression.
But the Manchester City fan had overcome his problems and become a mental health advocate for others before his tragic passing. And in an interview filmed with Darren Barker days before his death, Hatton said of his depression: "I didn't want to tell my mates or my family, I didn't want to worry them so I kept it in.
"I went in the gym or the pub and was the life and soul of the party, even more than normal because I was trying to overcompensate for what was going on inside me.
"Nobody knew and it was very hard. I thought I could sort it out myself but I couldn't. The best thing I did was when I realised I could beat him or him, I can do this or do that, but this I can't sort this out myself and I needed to speak to someone and it's the best thing I did.
"You feel you can speak to a stranger better than your family or friends. You don't go to the lads - and I've got good mates - but you don't feel like that. I had fallen out with my mum and dad and split up with my missus and I didn't want to worry the rest of the family. So you keep it in and you keep it in and it festers away."
Hatton went on to reveal he had received letters from people who had used his experience to turn their own lives around. "Look at the things I've been able to do since," he added. "Positive things that have inspired others as well as myself because I went to speak to someone.
"That's my job today. I'm a trainer today and if I can pass on half of what I have from boxing... some of my boxers come up to me and say, 'I paid the mortgage off today, Rick'... that's what it's about. If I can go and speak to someone about mental health... when I get letters through the post saying they took on board what I said and I inspired them... it helps other people and it makes me feel good because I've helped others."
