Professional boxer Campbell Hatton has revealed that the tragic passing of his father, former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton, ultimately saved his own life, steering him away from a self-destructive path of cocaine and alcohol addiction.
A Dark Path and a Tragic Loss
The 25-year-old is now preparing for a professional comeback in the ring after spending time in rehabilitation. Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde on September 14, 2025, at the age of 46. At an inquest held in March, South Manchester senior coroner Alison Mutch concluded the official cause of death was hanging, though noted it remained unclear whether the former champion intended to take his own life. The senior Hatton had previously been open about his personal battles with substance abuse.
In an emotional interview with ITV Granada, Campbell Hatton disclosed that his own struggles with addiction had brought him to the brink of tragedy just as his family was hit by his father's passing.
Addiction and Suicide Plans
"A lot of my family did think when the police were breaking the news, they did think it was going to be about me – and it probably was not far wrong, it was probably weeks off," Hatton admitted, revealing he had previously planned to take his own life. "I just think when we lost him, it did sort of save me in a few ways because I sort of had to sort myself out, because my family wouldn’t have had it in them to go through it again."
The younger Hatton had previously announced his retirement from boxing in July 2025 following consecutive defeats to James Flint. Behind the scenes, however, the fighter was spiralling into severe substance dependency.
Rehabilitation and Comeback
"I was just off the rails," Hatton said, noting he received treatment for both alcoholism and cocaine addiction. "There was no thought to the future, which was just self-destructive, and it is a bit of a miracle that I am still here."
After a period of rehabilitation and re-focusing on his family, Hatton is now channeling his recovery back into the sport that defined his family name. Having signed a new promotional deal with Misfits Boxing, he has officially resumed intensive training.
"Being back in the gym is working wonders for me," Hatton stated, reflecting on a turbulent year. "I am not just getting by now or plodding through. I am enjoying my life and am like living again, so that is a massive change. I look back with pride a little bit from how far I have come."
A date for Hatton’s return to the ring under the Misfits banner has yet to be officially announced.
