Campbell Hatton has revealed that the death of his father, former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton, played a pivotal role in saving his own life amid struggles with addiction. Ricky Hatton, who had been planning a boxing comeback, was found dead at his home in Hyde, Manchester, on September 14, 2025, at the age of 46.

Campbell, 25, who retired from boxing two months before his father’s passing after suffering his second consecutive defeat against James Flint, described his previous lifestyle as being “down a dark path.” He admitted to battling cocaine and alcohol addiction during this period and acknowledged that his behavior had become self-destructive.

“I was just off the rails. Drinking was a massive part of that and I was getting treatment for addiction with cocaine as well,” Campbell said in an interview with ITV. He added that his family initially feared the police notification would concern his own well-being. “A lot of my family did think when the police were breaking the news [about Ricky], it was going to be about me—and it probably was not far wrong, it was probably weeks off.”

Campbell credited his father’s death with prompting him to take control of his life. “I just think when we lost him, it did sort of save me in a few ways because I had to sort myself out, because my family wouldn’t have had it in them to go through it again,” he reflected.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Campbell expressed hope for the future and plans to rebuild his boxing career. He characterized his survival amid such difficulties as “a bit of miracle,” emphasizing his determination to move forward and make a comeback in the sport.