AN EMOTIONAL Ricky Hatton admitted that the twoyear wait to call time on his career drove him ‘‘insane’’.

Hatton held back the tears in London as he finally announced his decision to hang up his gloves more than two years after his last fight.

The decision brings down the curtain on a glittering career that made him world champion at two weights and also made him one of Britain’s best-loved sportsmen.

Hatton last fought in May 2009 when his attempt to hold onto his IBO light welterweight belt against Manny Pacquiao ended in failure when he was knocked out in the second round.

Hatton kept his fans and the boxing community guessing for over two years about his future, refusing to confirm that he would not box again despite repeated questioning.

Deep down inside the Hitman knew the answer to their question. He had made the decision to call it a day 18 months ago, but he could not bring himself to announce his retirement due to fear of what might happen to him outside the ring.

The low point came for the Stockport-born fighter came in September last year when he was admitted to the Priory in an attempt to rid himself of depression.

Hatton explained just how difficult the last two years had been and admitted he should have thrown in the towel after his defeat to Pacquiao.

‘‘Today is a very sad an upsetting day for me, but I have made the right decision,’’ Hatton admitted.

‘‘I have known this decision for some time now and I know I have needed to make it.

‘‘It’s fair to say that it drove me insane. I hit rock bottom not too long back because I was holding onto a dream that I never wanted to let go.

‘‘Instead of moving on I spent the last 18 months sulking.

If I could turn back the clock 18 months I would have done it then.’’ Hatton received what he described as ‘‘massive offers’’ to return to the ring, but he simply did not have the desire to add to the 45 victories he already had to his name.

Hatton ranks his 2005 victory over IBF light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu as the best win of his career, but he will most likely be remembered for the two defeats.

The former welterweight and light welterweight champion fought Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior in two-mega fights in Las Vegas, but despite two courageous efforts, he was knocked out in both.

What characterised the fights was the huge British support that followed Hatton to the United States, with an estimated 35,000 home fans crossing the Atlantic for the Mayweather battle.

Hatton admitted that the main reason why he is leaving the sport with a heavy heart is because of the following he has built up over his time in the sport.

‘‘The proudest moment of my career was seeing 35,000 Brits go over to Las Vegas to watch me fight Mayweather and 8,000 of them went to the weigh in. That’s what I’ll miss most,’’ Hatton added.

‘‘I’ll miss everyone singing ‘There’s only one Ricky Hatton’.

I’m never going to hear that again.

‘‘When I got into the ring I used to look into that crowd and see everyone’s eyes looking back and they were full of passion for me.

‘‘It wasn’t like they were cheering for a British boxer, they were cheering on their mate. I’ll not feel that again and that’ll be hard to take.’’

TOP FIVE FIGHTS

v Jon Thaxton, October 21, 2000
Hatton showed commendable spirit against the big-punching Norwich man, battling his way to a points victory despite a serious early cut over his left eye which would later require 28 stitches.

v Ben Tackie, December 13, 2003
Summoned up a masterful boxing performance to secure a landslide points win over the rock-hard former world title contender, producing some of the finest footwork and variety of his career.

v Kostya Tszyu, June 4, 2005
A defining night as he turned on the style in the early hours in Manchester to dethrone the legendary former champion, who was behind on the scorecards when he failed to answer the bell for the final round.

v Carlos Maussa, November 26, 2005
One of Hatton’s most under-rated performances as he survived an early cut against the unorthodox Colombian to unify the 140lb titles with a devastating left hook in the ninth round.

v Jose Luis Castillo, June 23, 2007
The gateway fight to superstardom ended in dramatic fashion when he landed a savage fourth-round liver shot to dump the Mexican great on the canvas and underline his credentials for a shot at Floyd Mayweather.