Ricky Hatton talks about depression

[veriton]

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.

believe it or not, i was and still am a huge hatton fan. went to most of his fights, and thats starting from when he was doing six rounders.

but the witter swerve is a stain on his career. british boxing needed that fight, it would have been amazing. like a chips and gravy version of pacquiao v mayweather at their peaks.

saw witter box a few times and he was hot and cold, but there was a run where he was blasting people and he was a genuine rival. there is no other reason that fight didnt happen other than hatton ultimately said he didnt want it.

sorry he aint feeling too good these days, but being 'party guy ricky' just ends with him being a fat bore in a pub and he knows, deep inside, how much that is letting himself down.

[AGM]

"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.

Spot on

[mickey1975]

Do you not get on now, Arnie? I thought you of all people would understand.

[bripez]

"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.

Spot on

I am leaning towards the same way if thinking.

The reason is that I don't get the impression that Hatton has done these interviews an a bid to help himself or to raise awareness if mental illness to help others etc. But possibly more to get some publicity for himself so he keeps his name in the papers.

[magwitch]

"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.

Spot on

I am leaning towards the same way if thinking.

The reason is that I don't get the impression that Hatton has done these interviews an a bid to help himself or to raise awareness if mental illness to help others etc. But possibly more to get some publicity for himself so he keeps his name in the papers.

Why would anybody want to keep their name in the papers over depression?
I must say tho, when I read about the several suicide attempts I thought it must be a recent development. This is actually the same “come in from the pub and fall asleep with a knife in my hand - crying hysterically” that was in hissecond book out around 3 years ago.
He was probably making a cheese sandwich, fell asleep and forgot why he had a knife.

[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 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.

And that's exactly why I think you're a twat.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I for one believe, that many people in the public eye, are the type of people who require fame and adulation, because they have borderline personality disorders, hardly surprising then, that they often have serious struggles in life.

It's very easy to judge, but I'm not one to leap to conclusions.

Alcohol/substance abuse and depression go hand in hand, it's a vicious cycle, depression can lead to drink, which temporarily exacerbates the feelings of self loathing, but long term leads to worse bouts of depression.

[Covfefe]

I for one believe, that many people in the public eye, are the type of people who require fame and adulation, because they have borderline personality disorders, hardly surprising then, that they often have serious struggles in life.

It's very easy to judge, but I'm not one to leap to conclusions.

Alcohol/substance abuse and depression go hand in hand, it's a vicious cycle, depression can lead to drink, which temporarily exacerbates the feelings of self loathing, but long term leads to worse bouts of depression.

It's hard because depression has become a word too many people use to describe feeling a bit down that day. But if Ricky is coming home after a night out and sitting there thinking about killing himself then he clearly needs help.

I am a little surprised at some of the attitudes on here, I really thought we were passed some of this rubbish. But someone genuinely said he feels it would be karma for Ricky cause he never fornicating fought Junior Witter.

[dirk2686]

Not sure it was karma regarding Witter - more the notion that Hatton, with all the fans, money and fame, may come out the other side of the pro career a far worse-off individual. Ultimately Witter may 'win' in the longterm.

That said, I think there are some proper stone-age attitudes on here. Very much a notion of 'you have money, you have fans, ergo you cannot be depressed.' Can't remember the reference off the top of my head but a broad level of happiness doesn't really equate with cash in the bank. Beyond a fairly comfortable wage, (and it really wasn't much - about twenty-five grand) there is no correlation between having money and being happy. Obviously we'd all take the cash, but that's not really going to guarantee you won't get ill.

[magwitch]

I for one believe, that many people in the public eye, are the type of people who require fame and adulation, because they have borderline personality disorders, hardly surprising then, that they often have serious struggles in life.

It's very easy to judge, but I'm not one to leap to conclusions.

Alcohol/substance abuse and depression go hand in hand, it's a vicious cycle, depression can lead to drink, which temporarily exacerbates the feelings of self loathing, but long term leads to worse bouts of depression.

It's hard because depression has become a word too many people use to describe feeling a bit down that day. But if Ricky is coming home after a night out and sitting there thinking about killing himself then he clearly needs help.

I am a little surprised at some of the attitudes on here, I really thought we were passed some of this rubbish. But someone genuinely said he feels it would be karma for Ricky cause he never effing fought Junior Witter.

But - to be fair - it does seem to resemble a swerve, a big one. I can kind of understand it - take a punch off Witter and the Floyd bout potentially goes down the toilet. Yet look at the stick Khan got for wanting a Floyd fight.
People ought to treat these “mega-money” fights like they would a bird......you don’t hang around like a sap if you’re not getting anywhere. Just do your own thing.

With the Witter situation tho, there seems an element to me of “I don’t want that man to make any money!”.....which is petty, because Witter, underneathe it all, was a live, credible, worthy opponent who was in his prime at the same time as Hatton. I personally think that Witter could’ve beaten him. It should have happened.

[Covfefe]

I for one believe, that many people in the public eye, are the type of people who require fame and adulation, because they have borderline personality disorders, hardly surprising then, that they often have serious struggles in life.

It's very easy to judge, but I'm not one to leap to conclusions.

Alcohol/substance abuse and depression go hand in hand, it's a vicious cycle, depression can lead to drink, which temporarily exacerbates the feelings of self loathing, but long term leads to worse bouts of depression.

It's hard because depression has become a word too many people use to describe feeling a bit down that day. But if Ricky is coming home after a night out and sitting there thinking about killing himself then he clearly needs help.

I am a little surprised at some of the attitudes on here, I really thought we were passed some of this rubbish. But someone genuinely said he feels it would be karma for Ricky cause he never effing fought Junior Witter.

But - to be fair - it does seem to resemble a swerve, a big one. I can kind of understand it - take a punch off Witter and the Floyd bout potentially goes down the toilet. Yet look at the stick Khan got for wanting a Floyd fight.
People ought to treat these “mega-money” fights like they would a bird......you don’t hang around like a sap if you’re not getting anywhere. Just do your own thing.

With the Witter situation tho, there seems an element to me of “I don’t want that man to make any money!”.....which is petty, because Witter, underneathe it all, was a live, credible, worthy opponent who was in his prime at the same time as Hatton. I personally think that Witter could’ve beaten him. It should have happened.

The politics of the Witter fight are completely irrelevant! It has nothing to do with his current mental state, I can't believe it's even being mentioned! Worse it's being mentioned as karma!

[magwitch]

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

Exactly what I thought when I read this yesterday. I’d be embarrassed to proffer (is that a word?) as a story.
Why don’t you have a couple of unicorns that could have trotted in with the contract on their back, and a little butler what looked like Odd-job from James Bond stood in the corner.
Complete and utter drivel.

[magwitch]

It's hard because depression has become a word too many people use to describe feeling a bit down that day. But if Ricky is coming home after a night out and sitting there thinking about killing himself then he clearly needs help.

I am a little surprised at some of the attitudes on here, I really thought we were passed some of this rubbish. But someone genuinely said he feels it would be karma for Ricky cause he never effing fought Junior Witter.

But - to be fair - it does seem to resemble a swerve, a big one. I can kind of understand it - take a punch off Witter and the Floyd bout potentially goes down the toilet. Yet look at the stick Khan got for wanting a Floyd fight.
People ought to treat these “mega-money” fights like they would a bird......you don’t hang around like a sap if you’re not getting anywhere. Just do your own thing.

With the Witter situation tho, there seems an element to me of “I don’t want that man to make any money!”.....which is petty, because Witter, underneathe it all, was a live, credible, worthy opponent who was in his prime at the same time as Hatton. I personally think that Witter could’ve beaten him. It should have happened.

The politics of the Witter fight are completely irrelevant! It has nothing to do with his current mental state, I can't believe it's even being mentioned! Worse it's being mentioned as karma!

You have a point, of course. But I never brought karma into this. I don’t believe in that.

[Covfefe]

But - to be fair - it does seem to resemble a swerve, a big one. I can kind of understand it - take a punch off Witter and the Floyd bout potentially goes down the toilet. Yet look at the stick Khan got for wanting a Floyd fight.
People ought to treat these “mega-money” fights like they would a bird......you don’t hang around like a sap if you’re not getting anywhere. Just do your own thing.

With the Witter situation tho, there seems an element to me of “I don’t want that man to make any money!”.....which is petty, because Witter, underneathe it all, was a live, credible, worthy opponent who was in his prime at the same time as Hatton. I personally think that Witter could’ve beaten him. It should have happened.

The politics of the Witter fight are completely irrelevant! It has nothing to do with his current mental state, I can't believe it's even being mentioned! Worse it's being mentioned as karma!

You have a point, of course. But I never brought karma into this. I don’t believe in that.

No, I didn't mean to imply it was you.

Everyone knows Witter was a nightmare style for Ricky, I feel we got better fights because they didn't fight so I'm not all that bothered. Witter had his own opportunities too.

[magwitch]

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

In fact it’s a croc on a similar kind of scale to that time they said Iraq could nuke us inside 45 minutes. I.e. “sexed up”. When that poor geezer got offed in the woods.

[magwitch]

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

I might have even watched it and my brain just deleted it, to protect myself. Nice one.
Yes, Witter could be dangerous - at a certain level - but also too cautious. Devastating on his night. I remember him absolutely levelling Vivian Harris - and I can even tell you the date - Friday 7th September 2007!

[dirk2686]

But - to be fair - it does seem to resemble a swerve, a big one.

Exactly. I have no issue with Hatton going after Floyd just as I don't have an issue with Khan doing it. Might as well try and make the big fights; enough fighters get stick for taking it easy.

But post-Floyd, Witter was WBC light-welter champion, desperate for the fight, and it was a natural fight to take. Instead he went for Lazcano and by the time he was fighting Malignaggi Witter had lost to Bradley and the fight is gone. That window was perfect for it and realistically Hatton cannot pretend Lazcano was a bigger fight.

Ultimately I think Witter was very good, very tricky, often dull, had few fans and therefore presented a massive risk v reward issue for Hatton who, had he lost, quite possibly would have missed the Pacquiao fight.

[veriton]

The politics of the Witter fight are completely irrelevant! It has nothing to do with his current mental state, I can't believe it's even being mentioned! Worse it's being mentioned as karma!

You have a point, of course. But I never brought karma into this. I don’t believe in that.

No, I didn't mean to imply it was you.

Everyone knows Witter was a nightmare style for Ricky, I feel we got better fights because they didn't fight so I'm not all that bothered. Witter had his own opportunities too.

better fights? like what? the boxing legends of dennis pederson, carlos vilches and michael stewart?

witter would have stood hatton on his head and they both knew it, as did fwank warren.

[Covfefe]

You have a point, of course. But I never brought karma into this. I don’t believe in that.

No, I didn't mean to imply it was you.

Everyone knows Witter was a nightmare style for Ricky, I feel we got better fights because they didn't fight so I'm not all that bothered. Witter had his own opportunities too.

better fights? like what? the boxing legends of dennis pederson, carlos vilches and michael stewart?

witter would have stood hatton on his head and they both knew it, as did fwank warren.

No, Tsyzu, Castillo, Mayweather, Malignaggi, Pacquaio.

[gilgamesh]

You have a point, of course. But I never brought karma into this. I don’t believe in that.

No, I didn't mean to imply it was you.

Everyone knows Witter was a nightmare style for Ricky, I feel we got better fights because they didn't fight so I'm not all that bothered. Witter had his own opportunities too.

better fights? like what? the boxing legends of dennis pederson, carlos vilches and michael stewart?

witter would have stood hatton on his head and they both knew it, as did fwank warren.

Junior Witter would've gotten his ass kicked by Hatton. Witter wasn't on that level.

[Covfefe]

No, I didn't mean to imply it was you.

Everyone knows Witter was a nightmare style for Ricky, I feel we got better fights because they didn't fight so I'm not all that bothered. Witter had his own opportunities too.

better fights? like what? the boxing legends of dennis pederson, carlos vilches and michael stewart?

witter would have stood hatton on his head and they both knew it, as did fwank warren.

Junior Witter would've gotten his ass kicked by Hatton. Witter wasn't on that level.

He wouldn't have stopped him but he was all wrong for Hatton. It wasn't a fight Hatton needed either.

[gilgamesh]

A lot of guys were wrong for Hatton, I'll never believe Witter was one of them. What's Witter's best win? Vivian Harris I guess? Remember when Hatton beat up and knocked out the guy that beat Harris....yeah

[bripez]

Why would anybody want to keep their name in the papers over depression?
.

Dunno, I don't get it either but the saying about any publicity is good publicity?

His name is in the papers and we are talking about him.

You only have to look at what people discuss on tv or online these days to get their name/face out there - he could be missing the limelight and any attention is better than no attention.

[banjo]

But - to be fair - it does seem to resemble a swerve, a big one.

Exactly. I have no issue with Hatton going after Floyd just as I don't have an issue with Khan doing it. Might as well try and make the big fights; enough fighters get stick for taking it easy.

But post-Floyd, Witter was WBC light-welter champion, desperate for the fight, and it was a natural fight to take. Instead he went for Lazcano and by the time he was fighting Malignaggi Witter had lost to Bradley and the fight is gone. That window was perfect for it and realistically Hatton cannot pretend Lazcano was a bigger fight.

Ultimately I think Witter was very good, very tricky, often dull, had few fans and therefore presented a massive risk v reward issue for Hatton who, had he lost, quite possibly would have missed the Pacquiao fight.

It was a good fight to take following his first defeat.

[banjo]

A lot of guys were wrong for Hatton, I'll never believe Witter was one of them. What's Witter's best win? Vivian Harris I guess? Remember when Hatton beat up and knocked out the guy that beat Harris....yeah

Harris also lost to Ray Oliveira, another Hatton victim.