Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has issued a stark warning about mental health in the sport, saying "everybody cracks at some point," in the wake of Ricky Hatton's death.
The 46-year-old Matchroom chairman spoke openly about the dangers of viewing vulnerability as weakness in boxing during an exclusive interview.
Hatton, the former world champion known as 'The Hitman', was found dead at his home aged 46 after battling mental health issues, alcohol abuse and drug addiction throughout his life.
"Ricky Hatton, who passed recently, is a good example of putting on a brave face. Sometimes it's just a mask," Hearn said.
Eddie Hearn has admitted 'everybody cracks at some point' after Ricky Hatton's death
|PA
He explained that boxing culture makes it particularly difficult for fighters to show any vulnerability.
"Sport in general is difficult to not show masculinity in, but especially boxing, because people view it as a weakness or a vulnerability if you're not macho or tough," he said.
Anthony Joshua perfectly illustrates this hidden struggle, according to Hearn.
"He's the kind of guy who even to me or to his closest friends he would show no signs of cracking, but deep down, it really hurt him, really hurt him," Hearn revealed about Joshua's defeat to Daniel Dubois.
The heavyweight star's emotional breakdown after the loss shocked many fans.
"He broke down in tears and everyone was like, 'woah, it's AJ, he's crying. What on earth's going on?'" Hearn recalled.
But the promoter insists this emotional response was completely normal.
"He's just a normal guy. Everybody cracks at some point," he said.
The boxing world continues to mourn the death of Ricky Hatton | GETTYHearn emphasized that Joshua needed significant time to recover mentally and emotionally from the defeat.
"People don't realise, when Anthony Joshua lost to Daniel Dubois, it took him a long time to mentally and emotionally recover from that," he explained.
Hearn's approach to mental health differs dramatically from his father Barry's old-school mindset.
"I'm nothing like my dad when it comes to thoughts on mental health," Hearn admitted.
He recalled a conversation where Barry's advice for happiness was simply to look in the mirror and say "I am happy."
"I thought 'wow, I can't believe you're actually saying that'," Hearn said.
The generational divide became clear during filming of the new Netflix series when Hearn mentioned therapy.
"I'd never hear the end of it," he told cameras about discussing therapy with his father.
Hearn acknowledged his upbringing shaped his emotional responses.
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Barry Hearn, 77, has a very different attitude to mental health
| PA"A lot of people will say, 'Eddie shows no emotion, he's cold', but that's how I was brought up," he explained.
While his parents loved him deeply, it was "tough love" rather than overt affection.
"I see nothing wrong with going to therapy, but that's kind of me evolving still," he added.
The new Netflix series "Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen" offers an intimate look at the family's billion-pound sports empire while capturing some painful moments.
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| PADuring episode four, Matchroom boxer Conor Benn breaks down as he reveals he contemplated suicide before being cleared of doping allegations after a two-year investigation.
Benn praised Hearn for "fighting his corner" and "believing in me and backing me when no one else did."
The series documents several tough defeats for Hearn, including a 5v5 competition loss to rival promoter Frank Warren and Joshua's defeat to Dubois.
"This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't signed this Netflix contract," Hearn joked.
His 15-year-old daughter's review was brutally honest: "Yeah, it's good, but you lose a lot in it."
Hearn believes showing these setbacks helps his children understand that work involves pressure and bad days, not just victories.