Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Jordan Mansfield
Topics: Boxing, Mental Health, News
Joe Yates
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton's son spoke out ahead of an inquest which ruled his cause of death as being that of suicide.
The legendary boxer was found dead at the age of 46 in his home on September 14 by his manager, Paul Speak.
Speak had been preparing to take Hatton to Manchester Airport, ready for a flight to Dubai, when he was found 'unresponsive'.
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The discovery of Hatton's body came two days after the boxer's family had last seen him, at which time they said he appeared 'well'. However, they noticed that the following day, he didn't show up to an event as expected.
Today (October 16), a Coroner's Court heard the provisional cause of death was suicide.
Shortly before the inquest, Hatton's son, Campbell Hatton, spoke about the 'whirlwind' last few weeks he'd experienced following his father's death.
On an appearance on the show Good Morning Britain, the 24-year-old said: "Obviously, we've been leading up to the funeral, which was unbelievable to see the amount of love everyone had for my dad.
"There were thousands in the streets, and there was a lot of comfort to take from that. It has been very up and down, really, but just as a family, we're trying to take each day at a time, really."
Campbell went on to speak fondly of his dad, remembering how Hatton 'always said he was more proud of his fanbase than all the belts and his titles'.
"Surprised is probably the wrong word because it was obvious how much he was loved by the amount of people that followed him all over the world to watch him box," he continued.
"To actually see everyone in the streets, it was a very long route that we went down, and there was never a point where the streets weren't full.
"To actually see it in terms of the amount of people, it was surreal really."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.