Former boxing star Ricky, 39, spoke out about his mental heath problems and suicidal thoughts in touching interview on Loose Women
BOXING legend Ricky Hatton has opened up about his toughest fight of all — battling addiction and depression.
The former two-division world champ, 39, said he hit such crippling lows that he didn't care whether he lived or died.
He said: "Many times I'd just be sat downstairs and I'd have my knife and I'd be thinking of slitting my wrists".
In an emotional appearance on ITV's Loose Women which was praised by fans, The Hitman said his downfall began after losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2007.
The defeat in Las Vegas in front of a sellout crowd and millions on pay-per-view was the first of his professional career after 35 bouts.
Brave Ricky said: "Forty thousands fans went over to Las Vegas to cheer me on, which even though it ended in defeat, was still one of my proudest achievements.
"I had such a backing that when I was beat, I thought about all the people I had let down. That's when I think it started off".
His mental health took a further blow following a second-round knockout to Manny Pacquiao in 2009 — which would signal the end of his fighting career bar another loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012.
Ricky told the studio audience: "I ended up falling out with my parents and my trainer Billy Graham, who I'm happy to say I am friends with now.
"Ultimately, when I fell out with my parents, as you can imagine, that was a difficult one.
"That's when I didn't care whether I lived or died."
He said he even considered trying to drink himself to death — and abused drugs to try to help him put away more booze.
"When you're drinking yourself to death you get more depressed.
"In order to drink a bit more I ended up taking drugs.";
But following help from friends and professionals, dad-of-three Ricky is now turning his life around and calling for more mental health support in boxing.
He said: "I still have moments, but I'm just easier with coping with things now.
"I'm not scared of admitting I used to cry - and that was one of the biggest things for me.
"Mental issues are just as much as disease as anything else. What I've learnt now is don't be scared of keeping it in.
"Because it doesn't matter who I've faced in that boxing ring I could have beat in that boxing ring - but I couldn't beat this problem on my own, and was not scared of admitting it."
Viewers backed Ricky's tell-all TV appearance, thanking him for his fearlessness.
Hannah Loveless wrote on Twitter: "Just saw @HitmanHatton on @loosewomen, what a man and inspirational speech - true legend".
Denise McNeil added: "Ricky Hatton powerful message. Always been a fan thank you for speaking up.”
Another wrote: "Very brave and honest interview with Ricky Hatton on @loosewomen today talking about his depression. #Legend."
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