Mirror columnist Barry McGuigan has paid his own very personal tribute to Ricky Hatton after his death evoked memories of the passing of Barry’s brother, Dermot
The world of boxing is still in shock. How could it be otherwise? Ricky Hatton was such an amazing fighter. I always related to him because we fought exactly the same way.
It was both awful and terrifying to learn of his death. The question is always why? His parents said he was in a good place, but you never really know.
I think about my brother Dermot all the time. Could I have said something to him? Could I have made any difference?
It is hard for me to speak about this now because it never goes away. It’s haunting. I know how it destroyed our family, my mother, my father, my siblings. You never get over it.
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For years I would drive up and down the country just crying my eyes out. Thinking about Dermot is always really upsetting. It’s all so fresh.
Dermot was giving off signs beforehand. We don’t know the details surrounding Ricky’s death but he has spoken about his fragile mental health and vulnerability so many times. It can’t be easy for the family. I feel so, so sorry for his loved ones.
We talk about the madness of boxing all the time, the dangers, the risks, the way fighters push themselves in the ring. There is something both inhumane about it but also incredibly courageous. You get to the stage where you will do almost anything to win.
When you push yourself so close to the edge, fight after fight, I believe it heightens the risk in some people. They find it impossible to close that part of their lives.
I don’t know if Ricky struggled with that but he was obviously troubled, just as my brother was.
It is right that we remember him for the great fighter he was. The fight that stands out for me is Kostya Tszyu. It was an absolute war, an incredible fight. He showed what he was made of that night, beating up a recognised world champion.
He worked his arse off, emptying the tank every day in the gym. Just as I did. And like him I had this mad crowd that travelled everywhere to watch me.
He took 37,000 people to Vegas. They followed him because they loved him. He fought with his heart on his sleeve. I didn’t go to the pub afterwards, but he did. And they loved him for it.
Ricky was a real character, a great personality, very funny and personable. Impossible not to like. You would never have imagined his life would end as it did. RIP Ricky, a true champ and a man of the people.
- Follow Barry on X at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym
