Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Campbell Hatton said the death of his dad Ricky Hatton “saved” him after he was “weeks off” from taking his own life.
The 25-year-old – who felt he lost his love for boxing after suffering back-to-back defeats – lost four people close to him within a six-month period before legendary boxer Ricky died by suicide in September 2025, aged 46.
And Ricky’s passing was a turning point for Campbell, as it made him get his life back on track following battles with alcohol and cocaine.
He told ITV: “I’ve spent time in rehab, I was struggling with addiction, and I was just off the rails.
“There was a six months where I lost four people who were really close to me. Even before, I’d struggled to come to terms with retiring from boxing.
“Drinking was a massive part of that, and I was getting treatment for addiction with cocaine as well. I think it all goes hand-in-hand.
“I don’t think anyone in rehab or struggled with addiction – it is a package thing. I have the personality where it’s all or nothing. Whether it’s good or bad. It’s just the way I’m wired up.”
Campbell admitted that he tried to take his own life a “couple of times”, adding: “Even when I wasn’t actually attempting it, I was living my life without any consequence because I thought, ‘I’m not going to have to deal with what comes with any of the actions I was making.’
“And the way I was living, there was no thought to the future, which was self-destructive. It’s a bit of a miracle that I am still here.”
Before police officers told Campbell’s family that Ricky died, they panicked the heartbreaking news was about the young fighter.
He recalled: “When the police were breaking the news, they did think it was going to be about me – and it probably were not far wrong. It was probably weeks off.”
Campbell – who has seen a “massive change” in his life after spending time in rehab – added that Ricky’s death “did sort of save me in a few ways because I had to sort myself out”.
He added: “My family wouldn’t have had it in them to go through it again.”
Campbell confirmed his return to boxing earlier this month after he signed a multi-fight deal with Misfits Boxing.
And he hopes to honour the legacy of Ricky “The Hitman”.
Campbell said: “I’m getting excited about things again. I look back with pride a little bit from how far I’ve come.
“It’s all about doing him proud.”
