British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has delivered a profoundly moving and brutally honest account of the crippling depression he suffered following his devastating 2009 knockout by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, revealing he reached a point where he "wanted to die".
In a raw and emotional interview, the 'Hitman' from Hyde, Greater Manchester, laid bare the soul-crushing impact of his second-round defeat at the MGM Grand—a loss that sent him spiralling into a dark abyss of addiction and suicidal thoughts.
The Darkest Round: Life After The Bell
Hatton described the immediate aftermath of the fight as the beginning of a personal hell. "When you have 30,000 people come over from the UK, and you get knocked out in two rounds... it was the most embarrassing moment of my life," he confessed. The very public nature of his collapse amplified his shame, leading him to seek solace in alcohol and substances, attempting to "drink and drug myself to death."
His life, once defined by the roar of adoring crowds in Manchester and beyond, became a silent battle fought in the shadows. "I didn't want to be here anymore... I wanted to die," Hatton stated, highlighting the severe mental health crisis that so often follows the glittering highs of a sporting career.
A Phoenix From The Ashes: The Road To Recovery
Now, 15 years on, Hatton's story is one of remarkable resilience. He has rebuilt his life, finding purpose in coaching a new generation of fighters at his gym in Hyde. His journey from the canvas of a Vegas ring to the depths of despair and back again stands as a powerful testament to the possibility of recovery.
His decision to speak out so openly is a stark challenge to the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in the hyper-masculine world of professional sport. Hatton's tale is no longer just about a famous defeat; it's a courageous lesson in vulnerability, survival, and the fight that continues long after the final bell.
