Boxing: Hatton admits being close to suicide after last defeat

Ricky Hatton has spoken of how he considered suicide following the end of his boxing career.

Although he only confirmed his retirement in July, Hatton now admits the writing was on the wall following his pummelling by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas in May 2009 after which he gradually slipped into depression and a battle with drink and drugs that came to a head when he was the victim of a Sunday newspaper sting. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the 32-year-old said: "I was going deeper and deeper into depression. I was so down, I was crying and breaking out and contemplating suicide."