Ricky Hatton documentary gives icon a ‘positive’ ending after overcoming demons
14.09.2023 - 11:02
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It was inevitable that Ricky Hatton’s life story would be made into a film.
The former five-time boxing world champion was cheered on by an army of fans as he became a beloved sporting icon. Hatton took pride in his journey from Hattersley to being a 43-0 superstar, whose most memorable victory saw him upset the odds and stop Kostya Tszyu in the 11th round at the MEN Arena, back in 2005.
However, the end of his glittering career was overshadowed by defeats to Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao. In the aftermath, Hatton was confronted with mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, and eventually led to fallouts with his family and long-time coach Billy Graham. It took several years for the 44-year-old to seek help but, back on the right track, Hatton has become a mental health advocate, as well as a world champion trainer.
His journey is told with brutal honesty in the new Hatton documentary, available on Sky, and paints a picture of someone who has finally made peace with retirement. Despite delving back into the dark periods of his life during the making of the film, Hatton insists that it was not difficult to relive his most painful moments.
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“The reason they approached me to do it is because I’ve been in such a good place for a few years,” Hatton said, speaking to MEN Sport. “I did my exhibition with [Marco Antonio] Barrera [in November 2022]. People saw the shape I was in and what I went through to get in that shape, mentally and physically. When you look at the documentary, now, everything is positive.
“I always bang the drum for mental health and that side of it because I nearly wasn’t here to do the things I take for