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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

'What's my point in being on planet earth?': Ricky Hatton discusses mental health battle that led to him trying to take his own life

Ricky Hatton has discussed the mental health battle that led to him trying to take his own life numerous times.

The former boxing champ is now encouraging those who feeling down to 'go and speak to someone'.

Ricky, 40, has spoken previously about his struggles with depression and anxiety following the end of his boxing career.

He has revisited his past as part of a special ITV News investigation, which aired on Wednesday (July 18).

"When they say dreams come true, mine really did come true," Stockport-born Ricky said.

Ricky Hatton has discussed the mental health battle as part of a special ITV News investigation (ITV)

"To fill out the Manchester Arena, to be seeing your name up in lights in Las Vegas. Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis carrying your belts in.

"But once your dream is over, you have experienced that high of being so loved by so many people and winning world titles.

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"Once that's gone, it's a hard thing to come back down to earth to.

After losing his title to Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas in 2007, Ricky considered taking his own life but says he turned to drink and the drugs as an alternative because he 'didn't have the strength to do it'.

'The Hitman' said his lowest moment was when he lost his fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2009, describing it as 'absolutely devastating'.

Following the defeat, Ricky says he went on to fall out with Billy Graham, his trainer and 'best friend' as well as his mum and dad, Ray and Carol.

"I thought to myself 'I have got no best mate, I've got no mum and dad, I've got no boxing no more'," he added.

Ricky Hatton and his girlfriend Charlie with his parents Carol and Ray (Ricky Hatton Twitter)

"'What is my point being on planet earth?'"

The father of three and grandfather has since turned his life around having been reunited with his parents following the agonising family feud.

"Life has never been so good," Ricky said.

"I see how happy I am today with my mum, dad, my kids, my grandkids.

"Having gone through what I have gone through, I count my blessing every day for what I have got."

Ricky is now urging others to speak out if they too are feeling low.

He added: "I tell people, if you're feeling down, when you're feeling deep, go speak to someone."

The multiple world champion retired from boxing in 2012 and is now the trainer for rising heavyweight star Nathan Gorman.

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