Boxing icon Ricky Hatton has bravely revealed the profound darkness that consumed him following the heartbreaking death of his son Campbell, sharing how grief nearly drove him to take his own life.
The Tragic Loss That Shattered a Family
The former world champion boxer described the moment his world collapsed when he received the devastating phone call about his son's passing. "I got the phone call and my world just ended there and then," Hatton confessed during an emotional interview on the Anything Goes with James English podcast.
Darkest Moments and Suicidal Thoughts
Hatton revealed the depth of his despair in the aftermath of the tragedy. "I wanted to kill myself," he stated with raw honesty. The boxing legend admitted that he found himself standing on a bridge, contemplating ending his life as he struggled to cope with the overwhelming pain.
"I was on the bridge and I was looking into the water and I thought, 'I'm going to jump in here,'" he recalled, highlighting the severity of his mental health crisis following Campbell's death.
Family Strength Amid Tragedy
Despite the unimaginable pain, Hatton explained how the tragedy ultimately brought his family closer together. The boxing star emphasized that his remaining children became his primary reason for continuing to fight through the grief.
"The only thing that stopped me was my other kids," Hatton revealed, acknowledging that thoughts of his daughter and other son provided the crucial lifeline that prevented him from taking drastic action.
A Father's Love and Legacy
The emotional interview provided a rare glimpse into the personal struggles of the boxing hero, showing a different side to the tough fighter known to millions of sports fans. Hatton's candid discussion about mental health and grief has been praised for its honesty and potential to help others facing similar struggles.
Campbell's death continues to be felt deeply by the Hatton family, but Ricky's openness about his journey through grief serves as a powerful testament to the importance of mental health awareness and family support during life's most challenging moments.
