I interviewed Ricky Hatton before he died – he wanted to fight again for two reasons

Metro spoke to Ricky Hatton just seven days before his tragic passing (Picture: Getty)

‘Hello, how are you doing?’ Ricky Hatton’s unforgettable Mancunian accent echoed down the phone.

Only seven days ago, I called Hatton to speak to him about his return to the ring, the latest goings on in boxing and the Freedom of the City of London award that he was due to receive next month.

It marked the latest award given to Hatton for an incredible career that saw him rise to the summit of the sport and become a world champion in two weight classes.

And yet, tragically, it represents one of the few awards that ‘The Hitman’ will not get to personally hold after his death on Sunday at the aged 46.

A beloved fighter in his heyday, Hatton had moved into coaching following his retirement in 2012, a transition largely inspired by his desire to try and stay close to a sport that had been his entire life.

That transition had not always proved easy for Hatton, who spoke openly and honestly about his struggles with mental health and addiction after hanging up the gloves.

And yet, when we spoke last weekend, he was his enthusiastic self, speaking with passion and a deep knowledge of the sport that he so clearly still lived and breathed.

Hatton passed away in his home in Manchester on Sunday (Picture: Shutterstock)

He analysed and dissected, with all his expertise, the following weekend’s mega-fight between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford. ‘A great night for boxing’, he promised Saturday would prove, and a great night it was, as Crawford cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s finest fighters by becoming an undisputed champion in a third weight division.

But equally, he spoke of his concern at certain things going in the sport, most notably Mike Tyson’s return at almost 60 to take on Floyd Mayweather, his former opponent, in an exhibition bout next year. 

Hatton, more than most, understood the thoughts and struggles that Tyson is surely also wrestling with. ‘I sympathise with Mike because it’s so difficult to give up the sport,’ he mused. ‘I’ve been a fighter all my life, and you can’t switch that off. I’m sure he’s the same.’

Those difficulties in giving up the sport were part of the reason that Hatton had, himself, been lured back to the ring. In 2022, the Brit took on Mexican fighter Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition fight and in December this year, was scheduled for his first professional bout in 13 years.

Ever honest, Hatton had no delusions of grandeur about his return, nor any desire to test himself with a high-level fight beyond his capabilities. His scheduled opponent, Eisa Al Dah, had a modest 8-3 record and was the same age as Hatton. 

‘It’s a very doable fight,’ he noted. ‘It’s not like Paulie Malignaggi fighting bare knuckle at his age or Mike coming back against Floyd. Mine is a very safe fight.’

‘The Hitman’ captivated British boxing fans with his style and personality (Picture: Getty)

Yes, Hatton’s return to the ring was in part to satisfy the competitive fire that still burned deep inside him, but it was also about something far more important than that.

In speaking so candidly about his struggles post-retirement, Hatton had sought to ensure that many others would not suffer in silence and would instead seek help like he had so often done. 

And over the phone last weekend, he spoke about his hopes that his latest ring return would continue to inspire more people struggling with their mental health to stay active and keep pushing forward.

Hatton also helped train his son, Campbell, during his career (Picture: Getty)

As we chatted, Hatton was in the car, travelling to a dinner where he no doubt shared those candid thoughts again. He was keen to mention his work as a motivational speaker and ambassadorial role with a mental health charity, too. 

He knew he had a platform to help and was determined to try and do just that right until the very end.

A week on from our chat, his words – and his hopes – now carry an added weight. British boxing may have lost one of its most iconic names and faces, but Hatton’s legacy will live on, be that inside or outside the ring.

The Manchester fighter gave many of his adoring fans the nights of their lives, whether it was in his home town winning his first world title against Kostya Tszyu or across the pond in Las Vegas against the likes of Mayweather, Paulie Malignaggi and Manny Pacquiao.

And yet, despite those famous bouts, it would be the fight against himself – his own mind and his own thoughts – that proved the biggest battle of his career.

But in taking that on in the manner that he did, and by talking with such openness and vulnerability about the struggles that followed him until the very end, Hatton has become a symbol of resilience that inspired many.

That feels a legacy more worthwhile than any belt or accolade.

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