Ricky Hatton talks about depression

[veriton]

because, in the scheme of things hatton had everything that witter didn't...fans, big money, respect on the world stage.

those are the reasons hatton said why he avoided a fight with witter. basically that he was too big for witter.

yet all we hear from hatton now is whining about how depressed he is. it would be fitting if witter was just a happy guy, living his life.

[Covfefe]

because, in the scheme of things hatton had everything that witter didn't...fans, big money, respect on the world stage.

those are the reasons hatton said why he avoided a fight with witter. basically that he was too big for witter.

yet all we hear from hatton now is whining about how depressed he is. it would be fitting if witter was just a happy guy, living his life.

Why would that be fitting?

Do you derive some bizarre pleasure from seeing Ricky having mental health issues? It has nothing to do with Junior Witter, and your point is beyond redundant. In fact I'd go as far as to say you're a fornicating idiot, why bring up such bullshit? Ask me how I feel next time you are experiencing something particularly terrible because I'll laugh like a cunt at your misfortune.

Twat.

[davie]

Depression is awful I have been there, but thinking back a lot of it boils down to feeling sorry for yourself, some people don't know how good there life is, just because there not world champions or in the news every two minutes some think life is bad!! Need to have a good look at themselves and stop feeling that the world owes them something

How I see it with boxers is that they put so much into it it leaves a huge void when it's gone.

Peoples work gives many a sense of purpous and meaning (me personally? It's where I get my money from) but a lot of people feel their work makes them who they are and they are reasonably safe in the knowledge that they'll have that with them until they're in their 60s.
Now imagine that work was somewhere where you had to dedicate yourself the way a top boxer does, shut yourself off from the outside world in intensive training camps all built upward what can end up being a 5 minute blow out in the ring, a vocation that involves physical battle with another human being, where the stakes are so high, one loss can mean serious physical harm and the end of your career
Then think of the reward someone like a Ricky Hatton gets. "Champion of the world", tens of thousands following him across the globe singing his name.

And one day, in his early 30s it all comes to an end, the big money, the titles, the adulation.
No training camp to direct yourself at, no big fight.
The knowledge that the big paydays are gone and if you've not been wise with your dough (or in many boxers case, didn't earn enough to set you up for life) then you have to find another way to earn money.
If boxing doesn't have a future for you, you know nothing else but how to throw your hands.

I can understand how that kind of lifestyle, the highs and lows, would make a person more prone to emotional problems, mental health issues and drink and drugs problems.

[lillywhite14]

Hatton should have made proper plans for his retirement. Him moaning about not having a safety net like footballers do ( they don't at all ) and how boxers are working class ( yep, so are footballers 99.9% of the time ) is a bit cringeworthy.
He could have moved in to plenty of other things after his great career ended. He was hugely popular, why didn't he pursue a media career? Have a sideline investing in property etc and there you go, plenty to keep him busy and all the adulation he should need when he's ringside commentating on the big fights etc

It's a shame he couldn't turn retirement from sport in to a positive thing. The next chapter in his life, chance to do something else. Someone with his money could have easily bought great advice and had a go at a lot of different things.

[mickey1975]

how's junior witter feeling these days?

He looked well on Judge Rinder.

[Coco]

For boxers the issue with retirement is not so much money or boredom, the fact is the bigger the spotlight the harder it is to step out of it.

[veriton]

because, in the scheme of things hatton had everything that witter didn't...fans, big money, respect on the world stage.

those are the reasons hatton said why he avoided a fight with witter. basically that he was too big for witter.

yet all we hear from hatton now is whining about how depressed he is. it would be fitting if witter was just a happy guy, living his life.

Why would that be fitting?

Do you derive some bizarre pleasure from seeing Ricky having mental health issues? It has nothing to do with Junior Witter, and your point is beyond redundant. In fact I'd go as far as to say you're a effing idiot, why bring up such bullshit? Ask me how I feel next time you are experiencing something particularly terrible because I'll laugh like a cunt at your misfortune.

Twat.

Ladder your tights love?

Sorry but whenever I hear the name Hatton I think of witter. Thought he was gyped out of a fight that he would have won and made him very rich, because Hatton gave it the big I am.

If Hatton is now depressed because of the fame and riches he acheived while junior is doing well, for me it would have an element of karma to it.

[handsofstone]

I remember Witter fought a fellow called Lupo a few years back and it was by far the worst fight ive seen in all the thousands of bouts ive watched,it was brutal and made Williams,Skelton,Audley and Sprott look like the 4 Kings

[banjo]

Hatton should have made proper plans for his retirement. Him moaning about not having a safety net like footballers do ( they don't at all ) and how boxers are working class ( yep, so are footballers 99.9% of the time ) is a bit cringeworthy.
He could have moved in to plenty of other things after his great career ended. He was hugely popular, why didn't he pursue a media career? Have a sideline investing in property etc and there you go, plenty to keep him busy and all the adulation he should need when he's ringside commentating on the big fights etc

It's a shame he couldn't turn retirement from sport in to a positive thing. The next chapter in his life, chance to do something else. Someone with his money could have easily bought great advice and had a go at a lot of different things.

Aye, he's got more of a safety net than most people who work proper jobs and won't make in their lifetime what he made in a single fight.

[Noxy]

Good on him. Bruno too.

It's not easy to come out and talk about stuff like this so openly, especially as someone from his world. Hopefully he is getting the help he needs and can move forward in his life. Raising mental health issues at a time when mental health services are being torn down is only a good thing. All sorts of people experience these and similar issues throughout their lives and we, as a society, should be doing more to support these people, not making essential services harder to access.

Absolutely, bless these celebrities who raise awareness of mental illness. They are really doing a service to society.

[TheCobra]

Hatton should have made proper plans for his retirement. Him moaning about not having a safety net like footballers do ( they don't at all ) and how boxers are working class ( yep, so are footballers 99.9% of the time ) is a bit cringeworthy.
He could have moved in to plenty of other things after his great career ended. He was hugely popular, why didn't he pursue a media career? Have a sideline investing in property etc and there you go, plenty to keep him busy and all the adulation he should need when he's ringside commentating on the big fights etc

It's a shame he couldn't turn retirement from sport in to a positive thing. The next chapter in his life, chance to do something else. Someone with his money could have easily bought great advice and had a go at a lot of different things.

Aye, he's got more of a safety net than most people who work proper jobs and won't make in their lifetime what he made in a single fight.

In a way I think it's that lack of safety net that keeps most people sharp, it's needing money that keeps people in the loop, getting up for work and functioning as normal members of society. That background worry that 'we're only a few paydays away from being broke', stops most people really from indulging in total freedom or the mindset that comes with it.

Freedom of time, money, choice, etc etc can bring huge pressure and responsibility and also a huge emptiness. I'm sure Ricky would trade all his money and free time to go back in time to 2000-ish and re-do it all again. That's the sad thing about Ricky, I just see regret and sadness - he seems totally lost.

[Noxy]

because, in the scheme of things hatton had everything that witter didn't...fans, big money, respect on the world stage.

those are the reasons hatton said why he avoided a fight with witter. basically that he was too big for witter.

yet all we hear from hatton now is whining about how depressed he is. it would be fitting if witter was just a happy guy, living his life.

Why would that be fitting?

Do you derive some bizarre pleasure from seeing Ricky having mental health issues? It has nothing to do with Junior Witter, and your point is beyond redundant. In fact I'd go as far as to say you're a effing idiot, why bring up such bullshit? Ask me how I feel next time you are experiencing something particularly terrible because I'll laugh like a cunt at your misfortune.

Twat.

Ladder your tights love?

Sorry but whenever I hear the name Hatton I think of witter. Thought he was gyped out of a fight that he would have won and made him very rich, because Hatton gave it the big I am.

If Hatton is now depressed because of the fame and riches he acheived while junior is doing well, for me it would have an element of karma to it.

It wasn't Hatton giving it the big I am that did for that match. It was Witter's tactic of trying to get to the front of the queue by being obnoxious to Hatton. It didn't work because Ricky reacted by refusing the fight, which he could afford to do because he could make a mint fighting anyone. In other words, Witter went too far in his baiting of Hatton. It was also because Junior's appeal was lower than it should have been (but that's another story).

[veriton]

Whether he was being obnoxious or not that was the biggest fight in the UK at that time. Instead hatton took on easier opponents instead. ..less risk, arguably same reward.

If looking at it from a boxing perspective then hatton ducked witter. If witter broke some unknown and unwritten standard to rule himself out of the fight it certainly wasn't his boxing ability

[Noxy]

Whether he was being obnoxious or not that was the biggest fight in the UK at that time. Instead hatton took on easier opponents instead. ..less risk, arguably same reward.

If looking at it from a boxing perspective then hatton ducked witter. If witter broke some unknown and unwritten standard to rule himself out of the fight it certainly wasn't his boxing ability

Too right it wasn't his boxing ability. It would have been a cracking match, we (the boxing fans) lost out on that one. Junior made a mistake but it's only with hindsight you can say that, you can't blame him for trying it on. I think Brendan encouraged his fighters to behave like that sometimes as well.

[bbjc]

Always wonder if taking punches to the head for a career plays a part in it. Understandably you can point to a lot of different aspects that led to rickys depression. But a lot of these boxers seem to end up with it really bad. Not just a i m out the spotlight i m a bit down now.


Had a brief meet and greet with him at a night with hatton at the start of the year. His stand up was really good but outside of that he did look a bit lost like a sort of trying but going through the motions

Gutted for the guy and all who suffer with it. We all get a bit down at times but it really does sound a nitemare experience. You d think they d have answers for it in this day and age. What doesnt help imo is how people use social media nowadays. Everyones trying to show their having a better time than everyone else. Leaves a lot of people thinking that their maybe failing.

[bbjc]

I dont blame ricky for avoiding witter. I think ricky would have beat him anyway. Would have ground him down eventually but ingle fighters are to be avoided. Just tricky to deal with. Always could be a bannana skin for the wrong style. Why risk it when you dont need to.

[Boxerbeetle]

Hatton should have made proper plans for his retirement. Him moaning about not having a safety net like footballers do ( they don't at all ) and how boxers are working class ( yep, so are footballers 99.9% of the time ) is a bit cringeworthy.
He could have moved in to plenty of other things after his great career ended. He was hugely popular, why didn't he pursue a media career? Have a sideline investing in property etc and there you go, plenty to keep him busy and all the adulation he should need when he's ringside commentating on the big fights etc

It's a shame he couldn't turn retirement from sport in to a positive thing. The next chapter in his life, chance to do something else. Someone with his money could have easily bought great advice and had a go at a lot of different things.

Aye, he's got more of a safety net than most people who work proper jobs and won't make in their lifetime what he made in a single fight.

In a way I think it's that lack of safety net that keeps most people sharp, it's needing money that keeps people in the loop, getting up for work and functioning as normal members of society. That background worry that 'we're only a few paydays away from being broke', stops most people really from indulging in total freedom or the mindset that comes with it.

Freedom of time, money, choice, etc etc can bring huge pressure and responsibility and also a huge emptiness. I'm sure Ricky would trade all his money and free time to go back in time to 2000-ish and re-do it all again. That's the sad thing about Ricky, I just see regret and sadness - he seems totally lost.

Great point & excellent post. 'Indulge' is the perfect word - is it a coincidence that celebrities 'develop' depression a short time after they leave the limelight?

[orbtastic]

He's always at the City games when I go. Apparently a few years ago he had the top price box and stuff and over the years has gradually come down in the world to the point now where he's in the regular bar now with the rest of the peons.

My mate told me that he and Ray were in Vegas doing a negotiation for a fight with DLH and others around a table. Ray's phone goes mid-chat, says sorry lads got to take this. Goes off for five minutes, DLH kinda looks a bit puzzled. Ray comes back beaming and says sorry about that, had to take it, hall stairs and landing quote in Hulme. Apparently they all looked at him like he was insane and then cut about 80% off the purse as they knew right then they were dealing with a balloon.

[magwitch]

because, in the scheme of things hatton had everything that witter didn't...fans, big money, respect on the world stage.

those are the reasons hatton said why he avoided a fight with witter. basically that he was too big for witter.

yet all we hear from hatton now is whining about how depressed he is. it would be fitting if witter was just a happy guy, living his life.

Why would that be fitting?

Do you derive some bizarre pleasure from seeing Ricky having mental health issues? It has nothing to do with Junior Witter, and your point is beyond redundant. In fact I'd go as far as to say you're a effing idiot, why bring up such bullshit? Ask me how I feel next time you are experiencing something particularly terrible because I'll laugh like a cunt at your misfortune.

Twat.

Ladder your tights love?

Sorry but whenever I hear the name Hatton I think of witter.

Witter’s the brown skinned chap from Bradford. I don’t see how you could get the two mixed up? It’s like chalk and cheese.

[pimp]

He's always at the City games when I go. Apparently a few years ago he had the top price box and stuff and over the years has gradually come down in the world to the point now where he's in the regular bar now with the rest of the peons.

My mate told me that he and Ray were in Vegas doing a negotiation for a fight with DLH and others around a table. Ray's phone goes mid-chat, says sorry lads got to take this. Goes off for five minutes, DLH kinda looks a bit puzzled. Ray comes back beaming and says sorry about that, had to take it, hall stairs and landing quote in Hulme. Apparently they all looked at him like he was insane and then cut about 80% off the purse as they knew right then they were dealing with a balloon.

Haha good story but that's bollocks they gave the carpet shop up a good few years before Richard went to America

[dirk2686]

Witter’s the brown skinned chap from Bradford. I don’t see how you could get the two mixed up? It’s like chalk and cheese.

As much as that whole conversation seems like an effort to wind people up, and speaking as a huge Hatton fan, I can get where it's coming from. Reminds me of the fights that should have happened thread. Hatton v Witter should definitely have taken place. I can remember Witter being world champion and Ricky post-Floyd not having an opponent. Absolute open goal for both sides; Ricky ended up with Lazcano. All that proved was that he would sell out against anyone, but why not Witter? The guy wasn't a huge name but nobody can pretend Lazcano was either.

Ultimately I think Junior probably felt like he had done enough to have earned the Hatton fight but Ricky had the pulling power all to himself and was never interested. It was quite a lose lose scenario for Hatton but yeah - if you really disliked Ricky I can imagine him being down on his luck and Witter doing well might bring about a tiny bit of schadenfreude.

[CaptainSpacerod]

"Depression" these days is a one size fits all term for any precious snowflake having a hard time of things.

It's rise to prominence in this day and age and its ubiquity amongst seemingly every sleb minor or major who's fallen on hard times amuses me.

In Ricky's case it's basically "why aren't I special anymore" syndrome. You're never gonna be special again Ricky so get over yourself. If you're feeling a bit sorry for yourself I suggest, rather than paying for you and all your hangers on to have a wild weekend somewhere, take yourself off volunteering for a month to Africa or wherever people are in need, or are sick or starving. If you're still "depressed" when you come back I'd be surprised.

[Boxerbeetle]

"Depression" these days is a one size fits all term for any precious snowflake having a hard time of things.

It's rise to prominence in this day and age and its ubiquity amongst seemingly every sleb minor or major who's fallen on hard times amuses me.

In Ricky's case it's basically "why aren't I special anymore" syndrome. You're never gonna be special again Ricky so get over yourself. If you're feeling a bit sorry for yourself I suggest, rather than paying for you and all your hangers on to have a wild weekend somewhere, take yourself off volunteering for a month to Africa or wherever people are in need, or are sick or starving. If you're still "depressed" when you come back I'd be surprised.

It is true that 'depression' is used to describe a wide range of things these days. I do worry that all the celebrities who come out and claim to be depressed just end up making people less sympathetic towards people who have a genuine mental illness.

[CaptainSpacerod]

It is true that 'depression' is used to describe a wide range of things these days. I do worry that all the celebrities who come out and claim to be depressed just end up making people less sympathetic towards people who have a genuine mental illness.

You're probably right.

Also, to go off at a tangent, I'm no fan of conspiracy theories generally but I think the huge upsurge in diagnoses of some form of depression or other which can be "cured" by taking prescription drugs is one of the biggest rackets going today.

[Counter-puncher]

It is true that 'depression' is used to describe a wide range of things these days. I do worry that all the celebrities who come out and claim to be depressed just end up making people less sympathetic towards people who have a genuine mental illness.

You're probably right.

Also, to go off at a tangent, I'm no fan of conspiracy theories generally but I think the huge upsurge in diagnoses of some form of depression or other which can be "cured" by taking prescription drugs is one of the biggest rackets going today.

see also the perpetuation of various special-interest groups centred on the subject.