Ricky Hatton's struggles with drugs and mental health issues were well documented - but how he battled his demons won him an army of fans

Former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton was famous for his clashes in the ring with the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Known as 'The Hitman', he became loved by Brits for his action-packed fights with his signature relentless pressure and attacking style.

But without a doubt, the biggest battles of Ricky's life were his own demons.

He had long struggled with his mental health, as well as drug and alcohol addiction, but in these battles, too, his approach also won him an army of fans.

After being pictured snorting a substance on the front page of the News of the World in 2010, Ricky sought help and admitted himself to a rehab facility, The Priory.

Since then he has worn his heart on his sleeve, becoming an ambassador for mental health and trying to help other boxers from making the same mistakes that he did.

It is no surprise, therefore, that the announcement today of his tragic death aged just 46 has caused an outpouring of grief not only from the boxing world but from his army of fans away from the ring. 

The boxing icon was found at his home in Greater Manchester this morning, where a police cordon currently sits outside, and his death is not being treated as suspicious. 

Social media has become awash with celebrities and regular people paying tribute to someone who was widely admired.  

His life was documented in a 2023 documentary, regarded as a definitive portrait of a unique, working-class hero and one of the world's most beloved boxers. 

The Hitman is lauded as one of the popular British boxers of all time, who rose from the Hattersley estate near Manchester to headlining on the Las Vegas strip. 

Fans were disappointed to see Hatton walk away from the sport in 2011 but realised it was in the boxer's best interests.

Hatton initially retired more than two years after he was knocked out by Manny Pacquiao before returning to the ring to face Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012. However, he was stopped in the ninth round of their fight.

As a result, Hatton decided to hang up his gloves for good - with a record of 45 wins - 32 of which were by knockout - and just three defeats.

But, when Hatton was asked about his career by the Daily Mail in 2023 he described himself as a failure and highlighted the depression, addiction and shame that followed his defeats to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

He challenged Mayweather for the WBC welterweight crown but was stopped for the first time in his career by the former five-weight world champion. 

He said: 'When I got beaten by Mayweather I was devastated. I told everyone I was going to win. I got my best pay day and I am fighting the best pound for pound fighter in the world but I didn't go there just for that though.

'I thought I was going to beat him. When I didn't, after telling all those fans that went over I would, it put my head away.

'After the fight, I couldn't walk down the street I was so embarrassed. I didn't want to show my face. I know that seems a bit strong but that's what was in my mind.

'I thought everyone was looking at me saying he told us he was going to beat Mayweather and he didn't. It's a shame really but was the start of my mental health struggles.'

He added the defeat made him feel like he had 'let down' the 40,000 fans who travelled to Las Vegas to support him and fuelled feelings of depression, which was later made worse by a falling out with his parents in a row over money in 2013. 

Speaking on an appearance on ITV's Loose Women in 2017, he said: 'After the [Floyd] Mayweather fight I started drinking a lot more heavily and ultimately I fell out with my parents and that was difficult for me and I did not care if I lived or died.

'I contemplated suicide many, many times. I started thinking of different ways to get through it and I thought I could drink myself to death.

'So consequently I got more depressed and I ended up taking drugs to enable me to drink more and it was a vicious circle.'

He said: 'It was my first taste of defeat as a pro after 35 fights. Even though it was Floyd Mayweather, I turned up thinking I was going to beat him.

'I became so used to success and then all of a sudden it was like 'I'm not used to this.''

When Pacquiao knocked him out in two rounds back in the MGM Grand 18 months after the Mayweather fight, the darkness consumed him completely. 

Hatton's aggressive style was no match for Pacquiao's speed, accuracy, and power, resulting in a crushing second-round knockout. He described the scenes in the changing room after the fight as 'heartbreaking'. 

Wild living spiralled. Hatton regularly contemplated suicide. It was only when he was exposed for using cocaine that he checked into rehab. 

'I've always considered myself an entertainer,' said Hatton. 'There was nothing I liked more after winning fights than looking at the crowd and seeing how happy I made people.'

Hatton was used to basking in the euphoria of victory. There would be an intoxicating mix of elation, relief, and camaraderie. Loved ones would clutch onto his sweat-soaked body and fill the air with a round of applause.

But, not on May 2, 2009. The dressing room became a somber place, filled with silent stares and the occasional sigh following the Pacquiao defeat.

He told the Daily Mail in 2023: 'It was like a death in the family when we went back to the changing rooms. You don't see many more brutal knockouts than that.

'To see your mate or your loved one knocked out in that manor must have been very very hard. I think people were thinking Ricky needs to hang his gloves up now after being knocked out like that.

'You know, he's had his day. He's had 45 fights. The way I was living my life and ballooning up and down in weight wouldn't have done my body or mental health any good.'

Ricky, like many others, tried to hide his mental health issues from his family as he felt it was wrong to burden them with his problems.

'The thing is people never really knew how bad I was in terms of my mental health. I always shielded it from my family and my loved ones.

'I didn't want to tell them how bad it was because I didn't want to worry them. I am certainly not going to go to my mates and say I am crying everyday. I want to kill myself. You just don't do it. But, they knew I was in a bad place mentally. But, they didn't know how bad it was.'

'But, I went through a period where I didn't care whether I lived or died. I thought to myself, f****ing hell Rick this is bad. You need to sort yourself out. I went and saw a psychiatrist in Manchester and said you need to tell me what to do otherwise I won't be here next week, I'm going to kill myself.'

Hatton's story is certainly one of triumph over adversity. His widely publicised struggles with substance abuse didn't stop him from becoming one of the most influential and beloved figures in British boxing. 

Hatton did take counselling when fighting the worst of his demons and said that he had a psychologist 'on speed dial' in case he needed reinforcing in his resolve.

His tragic death comes just as he was looking to inspire those struggling with their mental health yet again, as he was set for a comeback. 

The Manchester icon was set to lace up his gloves again on December 2 for a Dubai dust-up with Eisa Aldah.

The love for the boxer was so great that when his fight was announced, Ricky revealed lots of people got in touch, saying they were concerned he would be hurt.

He said: 'I think I know what fights I'm capable of doing and I know which fights are beyond me. And this one is one I'm capable of doing. Don't worry about me.' 

'It makes me feel so proud that I was so loved and that people get worried when they hear of me making a comeback. But I'm not as daft as I look.'

Over the years, Hatton has also been supportive of getting boxers more help to deal with any issues they may have with a professional.

He said: 'The way that the sport is and the way you have to go through with the intent of hurting your opponent, it's hard. Don't forget, boxers don't come from Cambridge or Oxford either. They come from council estates. 

'It's a shame because how many times do you see boxers who win world titles, make their fortunes and then end up with nothing. We do need help, we're not the brightest buttons in the box.' 

Nine years ago he told the BBC: 'I tried to kill myself several times. I used to go to the pub, come back, take the knife out and sit there in the dark crying hysterically.'

Hatton added: 'There were times when I hadn't had a drink for days and I'd still come home and if something went through my mind I'd start pondering something. It was the same outcome whether I was having a drink or wasn't having a drink.

‘But in the end I thought I'll end up drinking myself to death because I was so miserable. I was coming off the rails with my drinking and that led to drugs. It was like a runaway train.’

But his good friend, boxing pundit Steve Bunce, today revealed he 'was in a really good place' after 'facing, attacking and solving' his addictions. 

A huge Manchester City supporter, Hatton was due to be at the Etihad Stadium for this afternoon's derby with Manchester United, and had a table in a corporate hospitality area. 

It's understood his beloved club will hold a minute's applause and both sides will wear black armbands in memory of the fighter. 

Police are now thought to be working with Hatton's family over the issuing of a tribute to one of boxing's most-loved fighters.