Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to think: 'Blimey, Ricky, get a grip.'

I will always wonder what might have been if I had faced Manny Pacquiao at my best. But there is no doubt in my mind that the Pacman will still go down as one of boxing's all-time greats.

Would I change anything? I don't know, that's a double edge sword for me.

I want to go down as a champion who redeemed himself, made up for letting everyone down and regained his self-respect.

He's a very, very clever fighter, Manny, but you'd have to say the cleverest fighter in boxing is Mayweather. He adapts his style against whatever opponent he faces.

Sir Alex Ferguson sent me a letter wishing me good luck before my fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. He also sent me a United shirt, signed by all of the players. It was a really nice touch and typical of the man who has always made himself available to managers in this country whenever they've needed advice.

I wouldn't say Floyd Mayweather Jr is running scared of Amir Khan. Floyd doesn't need to run from anybody. Look at the names he has beaten during his career and it is an impressive list.

If, and when, I do eventually decide to retire, the announcement will be made by myself. I feel that I have earned the right to do it myself.

They say 'you've over trained, you've left it in the gym' is the most common phrase used in boxing but my god it is the truest.

I never manufactured my persona.

It doesn't matter how many people say 'don't be hard on yourself,' I feel like I have to redeem myself to my fans, my family and the whole of British sport.

I always loved training to get fit, make all those sacrifices that you do, but it just wasn't there after Pacquiao.

My mum and dad had four pubs when we were growing up, but the main one was the New Inn in Hattersley, on the estate. It was a very good pub.

It makes me very, very happy to get someone a world title shot, which I've done with a few fighters, or a European title shot or a British title, and I see them lift that belt above their waist and they come to me and say 'Thanks Ricky. I've just paid my mortgage off with that.' That's what its all about.

The manner of my defeat against Mayweather and certainly Manny Pacquiao was a bitter pill to swallow.

I was always very depressed, even when I was a youngster.

I was fortunate enough to fight at Madison Square Garden, Vegas and the City of Manchester Stadium.

I've always been the local lad, boy done well, kid next door.

I don't mind getting beaten by Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr and people like that, but I'd hate to go into a training camp with my heart not fully in it and risk getting beaten by somebody who shouldn't be beating me.

Depression is a serious thing and, after my defeat to Pacquiao, I was facing retirement and didn't cope with it very well.

I've fought at such a high level I couldn't have people look at me and say, 'well, he's just fought someone to knock them over.'

I was getting depressed, I was going out, having a few drinks and the worst thing you can do with depression is add alcohol to it.

Ultimately when I fell out with my parents, I hit rock bottom. I didn't care whether I lived or died to be honest with you.

There's no better feeling in the world than when I walk in a pub, or a nightclub or a bar or a supermarket, anywhere, and you see people out the corner of your eye and they're going, 'Hey, there's Ricky Hatton. Isn't he a good lad, coming for a pint with us in here?' It makes you feel proud.