Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell had two of his close friends die earlier this year. One of Campbell’s friends who died is said to have taken their own life.
Hatton Snr died in mid-September, with his manager, Paul Speak, finding Hatton “unresponsive” at home in Hyde, Greater Manchester Police coroner’s officer Alison Catlow said at his inquest hearing. Manchester South senior coroner Alison Mutch said: “The provisional cause of death is given as hanging.”
Campbell, 24, is a father himself, having a seven-year-old daughter, Lyla, whom he has described as “heartbroken”. Hatton’s son has now spoken about his struggles and how his father’s openness to discuss mental health helps.
“Because he was so open about it, I was brought up thinking it’s OK to talk,” Campbell told The Times. “I still probably don’t do it enough, but he always encouraged it and advised me on whom to speak to. I feel fortunate in that.”
Campbell briefly hired Ricky as his boxing trainer in March of this year. However, his father announced this summer that the fighter had retired from the sport after 16 professional fights. At the time, Hatton Snr acknowledged that the death of one of Campbell’s best friends had impacted him in recent months. His son is now installing solar panels.
“It was tough walking away from it,” Campbell said. “Everything I’d done revolved around me going on to be a boxer, so it was like, ‘What do I do now?’ My dad said he wasn’t bothered as long as I was happy. He was always looking out for me.
Speaking about his father, Campbell said: “He was the best any of us have ever seen him. He had mellowed with age. He wasn’t going out on crazy drinking benders. He was spending loads of time with his girls [Millie, 13, and Fearne, 12] and Lyla, [Campbell’s seven-year-old daughter]. He was dead busy with stuff in the gym. He had loads he was looking forward to.
“When he was really in his dark place, it would’ve been just as heartbreaking, but it wouldn’t have been as much of a shock. It was great to see all the people at the funeral showing their support, but I’m glad it’s out of the way now so we can start, as a family, trying to… we’ll never get over it… but start healing.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the Hub of Hope, the UK’s largest mental health support directory: Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope .
You can call the Samaritans free at any time from any phone on 116 123. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You can also email jo@samaritans.org
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