Ricky Hatton repeatedly spoke of wanting to 'drink and drug himself to death' and made multiple attempts to end his life in the years before he died yesterday, it was revealed today.

The Hitman said in a recent interview that he had hit 'rock bottom' following a devastating two-round defeat to Manny Pacquiao in 2009.

It sparked years of mental health problems, feelings of worthlessness and suicidal thoughts as well as an addiction to cocaine.

The champion boxer, who was found dead in Manchester yesterday morning aged just 46, told the BBC in 2022: 'I just went on the war path. I was suicidal. I tried killing myself several times, couldn't do it. So then I thought to myself I will drink and drug myself to death.' 

The Hitman's family, friends and fans are grieving today after he was discovered at 6.45am on Sunday having failed to turn up at the gym and a fight he was expected to watch over the weekend.

His death is not being treated as suspicious, police have said.

Today his bereft parents Carol and Ray gave an emotional tribute to their son.

'Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply "Richard", our son. A loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a true friend to many. He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him', they said in a statement.

Mr and Mrs Hatton did not reveal the cause of his death but added: 'Our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.

'It has been a source of great comfort to see just how many lives Richard touched, and how widely he was admired and respected'.

Ricky was due for a dramatic return to the sport with a fight planned in Dubai in December - but had often spoke of his struggles with mental health issues, drug addiction and suicidal thoughts.

In an interview with the BBC in 2022, he opened up about 'hitting rock bottom' after a crushing defeat to boxing great Manny Pacquiao, where he was knocked out in the second round at the peak of his own powers.

He said: 'My problems happened when I got beat by Manny Pacquiao in two rounds, which ultimately meant "Ricky, you need to retire now".

'I had fell out with my parents, I'd fell out with my trainer Billy Graham, so that is when it went rock bottom'.

Known as 'The Hitman', he became loved by Brits for his action-packed fights with his signature relentless pressure and attacking style.

But without a doubt, the biggest battles of Ricky's life were his own demons.

He had long struggled with his mental health, as well as drug and alcohol addiction, but in these battles, too, his approach also won him an army of fans.

After being pictured snorting a substance on the front page of the News of the World in 2010, Ricky sought help and admitted himself to a rehab facility, The Priory.

After his fall from grace be became an ambassador for mental health and trying to help other boxers from making the same mistakes that he did.

He said: 'When I got beaten by Mayweather I was devastated. I told everyone I was going to win. I got my best pay day and I am fighting the best pound for pound fighter in the world but I didn't go there just for that though.

'I thought I was going to beat him. When I didn't, after telling all those fans that went over I would, it put my head away.

'After the fight, I couldn't walk down the street I was so embarrassed. I didn't want to show my face. I know that seems a bit strong but that's what was in my mind.

'I thought everyone was looking at me saying he told us he was going to beat Mayweather and he didn't. It's a shame really but it was the start of my mental health struggles.'

He added the defeat made him feel like he had 'let down' the 40,000 fans who travelled to Las Vegas to support him and fuelled feelings of depression, which was later made worse by a falling out with his parents in a row over money in 2013. 

Speaking on an appearance on ITV's Loose Women in 2017, he said: 'After the [Floyd] Mayweather fight I started drinking a lot more heavily and ultimately I fell out with my parents and that was difficult for me and I did not care if I lived or died.

'I contemplated suicide many, many times. I started thinking of different ways to get through it and I thought I could drink myself to death.

'So consequently I got more depressed and I ended up taking drugs to enable me to drink more and it was a vicious circle.'

He said: 'It was my first taste of defeat as a pro after 35 fights. Even though it was Floyd Mayweather, I turned up thinking I was going to beat him.

'I became so used to success and then all of a sudden it was like "I'm not used to this".'

Hatton was undefeated for 43 matches, winning titles at light-welterweight and welterweight in his career before facing Floyd Mayweather in 2007.

Ahead of the fight, he had been struggling with his fitness, veering from 10 to 13st. The Hitman had a new nickname: Fatty Hatton.

An astonishing 35,000 Brits followed him to Vegas for the Mayweather match, David Beckham among them. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt were among the US contingent. Tom Jones sang the UK national anthem.

The Hitman was floored twice by Mayweather's punches. The second barrage left him unable to rise but bravely begging, 'Get me up,' to his corner.

Hatton lost all self-confidence after that defeat. 'Me head fell off after the Mayweather fight,' he said.

Two years later he had his second career defeat to Mayweather, his penultimate career bout and the one that ultimately led to his retirement. 

Wayne Rooney led tributes to the Manchester boxer this morning as the ex-footballer spoke about carrying his belt into the ring in Las Vegas.

Rooney said: 'To hear that news is just devastating.

'I have been in Ricky's company many times, carried his belt into the ring against Castillo in Las Vegas and it is one the most nervous I think I have been.

'Standing in his dressing room and just thinking "I hope he doesn't lose tonight".

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney show, he said his friend Hatton 'captured the nation'.

He added: 'I think he is just someone everyone loved. He is someone everyone can relate to.

'I think so often nowadays you see any type of celebrity and you see a lot of them are not really relatable and Ricky was certainly relatable.

'It is heartbreaking and I just want to pay condolences to his family and everyone who was really close to him because it is way too soon.'

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, boxing pundit Steve Bunce said Hatton 'changed the face of British boxing'.

'He had 12 close to sellouts at the MEN in Manchester. He made that his home, his citadel.

'He became the kid who was born in a council estate, raised in a pub and ended up taking over 70,000 people to Las Vegas for a series of fights.

'As he admitted, he wasn't the best British boxer in history, but he was without doubt the most popular British boxer in history.'

A huge Manchester City supporter, Hatton was due to be at the Etihad Stadium for this afternoon's derby with Manchester United, and had a table in a corporate hospitality area 

Players and supporters of Manchester City and Manchester United yesterday took part in a minute's applause in tribute to Ricky Hatton.  

In July, Hatton - who would have turned 47 next month - announced his return to boxing, with a fight against the UAE's Eisa Al Dah scheduled for December 2 in Dubai.

Just two days ago, Hatton had shared footage of himself training intensely with a punching bag as he readied himself for his return to boxing. He captioned it: 'Thursday session in the bag. #hitman #bluemoon #getupthereboy.'

Boxers past and present led tributes to Hatton yesterday as they mourned the loss of 'one of Britain's greatest boxers'.

Former world champion Amir Khan wrote: 'Today we lost not only one of Britain's greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.'

His old rival Pacquiao said he was 'deeply saddened' by Hatton's passing, adding: 'He was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life. We shared unforgettable moments in boxing history and I will always honor the respect and sportsmanship he showed.

'Ricky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey.'

Tyson Fury posted two pictures of him and Hatton on Instagram and wrote: 'Can't believe this.

'Rip to the legend @rickyhatton may he RIP. There will only ever be 1 Ricky Hatton. Can't believe this so young.'

Actor Ray Winstone also paid tribute, writing: 'Shocking news, feel like I've been punched in the stomach. I never even had the pleasure of meeting him but I still feel like I know him. A great champion in the ring and of the people. My deepest sympathies to his family. Rest in peace Champ gone far too early.'

Liam Gallagher wrote: 'Absolutely devastated to hear the news about RICKY HATTON it was an absolute honour to know him and carry his belts RIP CHAMP LIVE FOREVER'

Ex-footballer David Beckham shared a message saying: 'Ricky was one of a kind. Just heartbreaking'.

Piers Morgan tweeted: 'RIP Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton, 46. Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news.'

And Sacha Lord, Manchester's nighttime economy adviser and owner of The Warehouse Project, said: 'RIP Ricky Hatton. A gentle giant and absolute legend.'

He called for a minute's silence to be held at today's derby match between Hatton's beloved Manchester City and Manchester United in his honour.

TV and radio host Paddy McGuinness fought back tears on his Radio 2 show today after learning news of Hatton's death.

He told listeners: 'Apologies everyone, just had to play a couple of songs back to back there, I've just learned this terrible news that a great mate of mine has passed away, Ricky Hatton.'

After a long pause, McGuinness added: 'Sending love, and thoughts are with his family.'

He continued: 'God. Ricky mate, wherever you are, this is for you…' before playing Frank Sinatra's Blue Moon, the anthem of Hatton's football team, Manchester City.

McGuinness also paid tribute to Hatton on social media, posting a black-and-white image of a young Hatton and a snap of himself with the fighter, pop star Robbie Williams and friend Jonathan Wilkes, on Instagram with the caption: 'World Champion. People's Champion. I've had some great times with Ricky over the years.

'From being out in Vegas to the streets of Manchester, he always had time for everyone.

'Deepest condolences to Ray, Carol, Campbell, Millie, Fearne and all his family. Rest In Greatness champ.'

Hatton rose through amateur and domestic levels to pit his wits against the best boxers of his generation.

But his down-to-earth demeanour also endeared him to fans across the world, and he was open about the mental health issues he endured upon his retirement from the ring.  

He had previously spoken of his battle with depression and revealed that he had attempted suicide on multiple occasions.

Nine years ago he told the BBC: 'I tried to kill myself several times. I used to go to the pub, come back, take the knife out and sit there in the dark crying hysterically.'

Hatton added: 'There were times when I hadn't had a drink for days and I'd still come home and if something went through my mind I'd start pondering something. It was the same outcome whether I was having a drink or wasn't having a drink.

'But in the end I thought "I'll end up drinking myself to death" because I was so miserable. I was coming off the rails with my drinking and that led to drugs. It was like a runaway train.'

Police are now thought to be working with Hatton's family about issuing a tribute.

In 2023, he released a personal documentary which charted his journey from the Hattersley estate near Manchester to headlining on the Las Vegas strip.

Hatton's battle with mental health features prominently in the film and he talked about the 'depression, addiction and shame' that followed his defeats by Mayweather and Pacquiao.

It candidly revealed how his estrangement from his family for nearly a decade and the split from his coach pushed him to his absolute rock bottom.

During the film, Hatton said: 'I was champion four times over but I consider myself a failure. I wasn't supposed to end this way.'

But boxing pundit Bunce today revealed that Hatton was in a much better place.

He told Radio 5 Live: 'It's an unbelievably shocking piece of news, he has had some troubles Rick, he has talked about his mental health problems, he's talked about his addictions, he's faced them and attacked them and solved them, he was in a really good place.

'He was preparing for an exhibition fight, the gym has been his salvation. He was getting his head and body in a better place.

'He didn't show up on Friday at the gym and he was meant to be at a fight last night and he didn't show up at the fight.

'It's shocking news, had it been ten years ago when he was in the darkest place a man could be in, it would have been understandable but I'm generally shocked and amazed by it. 

'If you look at any images of him from the last two or three weeks its as good as he's looked in 15 years, that's why this will be an even bigger shock.'

He said he thought Hatton had faced his demons and come through. 'My first reaction was I didn't believe it,' he added.

Hatton, an aggressive and brave fighter, held multiple world and UK titles during his career between 1997 and 2012.

He had one son, Campbell, who retired from boxing at 24 to become a solar panel installer this July, and two daughters, Millie and Fearne.

He won 45 of his 48 professional bouts during a stellar 15-year career. Among his career highlights were defeating Russia's Kostya Tszyu and Mexico's Jose Luis Castillo.