Former world champion Ricky Hatton has revealed that he contemplated suicide following his second-round knockout to Manny Pacquiao.
In an interview with BBC Radio Manchester, the 33-year-old said that he broke down in tears just two weeks before the championship bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"I had peaked too soon, everyone in the camp could see I needed a rest," said Hatton. "There was one day when one of my sparring partners knocked me on my backside. I came out of the ring, sat on the steps and put a towel over my head and I just started sobbing and crying.
"All this was two weeks before you fight the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world."
The 'Hitman' has had a well-documented battle with depression since hanging up his gloves.
The Manchester man was also the subject of a News of the World sting after being pictured snorting cocaine.
"I definitely contemplated suicide," he added. "Thankfully through the support of my family, my girlfriend and everything like that it never got to the stage where I actually went through with it."
Hatton turned pro in 1997, and went on to become a two-weight world champion in his 12-year career.
Michael Penkman
