Darren Barker admits Ricky Hatton’s tragic death gave him new purpose as he embarks on Forrest Gump-esque challenge

DARREN BARKER has found a whole new purpose for his life following the tragic end to Ricky Hatton’s. Later this month, the former middleweight champion of the world embarks on a terrifying 2,000 mile trip across land and sea, starting in Edinburgh and finishing in Morocco. Darren Barker went to Ricky Hatton’s gym for a dream interview on the Manchester hero’s career Credit: YouTube/Dazn Hatton’s tragic death rocked British boxing Credit: Alamy The Longest Round challenge will raise money for CALM, the suicide prevention charity the two-weight Manchester legend was a proud ambassador for, before his death last year. Hatton’s passing – aged just 46 and with his hard-earned popularity still booming – devastated all of British boxing. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! And Barker was personally hit unfairly hard because he had filmed a beautiful career-spanning interview with him just a few days before the tragedy. Starring on SunBoxing’s Corner Talk podcast, the 44-year-old hero said: “Last September I had the absolute honour and privilege of interviewing Ricky Hatton for my podcast and, days later, he wasn’t with us. “I was just sat there, as a super-fan, in awe of him, I just wanted to hear his stories. “So it took me completely by surprise and I am still in shock, I really am. “Because he was just perfectly Ricky Hatton, he was charming and funny on camera, but he was the same off it too. “So I owe this to Ricky. I want to continue his legacy. Most read in Sport Ricky Hatton’s world title win remains one of the most iconic in modern British boxing Credit: Getty The Man City super-fan dethroned pound-for-pound No1 Kostya Tszyu Credit: AFP “Ricky used to say that he wanted to help people for as long as he could and I want to carry that on for him. “He gave up his time to speak to me, so I want to do that for him now.” Barker’s 2013 IBF triumph over Daniel Geale remains one of the most beautiful in modern memory. Away in Atlantic City, at the age of 31 and plagued by injuries, he was floored by a sixth-round body shot and looked finished. World title wins and millions of pounds never made Hatton too big for his fans Credit: Reuters The Home of Boxing in 2026 There's a massive year of boxing ahead! It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring. The Gypsy King has beaten Mariusz Wach in his second fight of the year to set up a huge fight with Anthony Joshua And AJ did the same, knocking out Kristian Prenga in the second round of a thrilling encounter – the Brit was knocked down twice in the opening round. Now fans are looking forward to Moses Itauma’s return for his toughest fight yet against Filip Hrgovic in August. Here’s all the big fights coming up… August Sat 15 – Claressa Shields vs Kaye Scott – DAZN Sat 29 – Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN September Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue. Down on that Boardwalk canvas he was met by the mental image of his brother and amateur ace Gary who was killed, aged just 19, in a 2006 car crash. Inspired by the little sibling who had been tipped for greatness before his promise was snatched away, Barker somehow rose, beat the count and the odds and grabbed the belt on a split decision. The title run and career ended just four months later but Barker – whose dad was also a respected amateur national champion – had fulfilled his brother’s potential and etched the family name into global boxing history. But – much like national treasure Hatton – life without boxing became so much harder than one of brutal dieting, dangerous dehydration and being punched for pay. Darren Barker was down and out in Atlantic City before divine intervention saved him Credit: Getty Images – Getty Middleweight Darren Barker won the IBF world title in honour of his little brother Credit: Getty Images – Getty “I lost myself for a long time,” he bravely told us. “For a number of reasons, and this is one of the things I want to get across. “There are so many avenues to mental health; stress, anxiety, depression, but grief is one that I have dealt with a lot and it affects me and I think it will for the remainder of my life, it will always be there with me. “I think I have found what I want to do now, for the remainder of my life. “I achieved my life’s work at 31 and then you think: ‘well what am I going to do now?’ “I want to try to help and let me know that there are people in similar situations and there are people that will listen and there are ways to find help. “There is a history of mental health in my family as well, so this is something I have to do. “It feels so right to me.” Ricky Hatton's biggest boxing wins By Jack Figg Paulie Malignaggi, November 2008 In his first fight since splitting with long-time trainer Billy Graham, Hatton dominated Malignaggi in one of his best displays of boxing. Coached by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton would earn a 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a horrifying KO loss. Luis Collazo, May 2006 Hatton dropped the veteran American in the opening seconds of round one and looked on course for a demolition job. But he was taken to the brink over 12 rounds but held on to victory – earning him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather at welterweight a year later. Kostya Tszyu, June 2005 Russian-born Aussie Tszyu was behind only Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings when he travelled to Manchester. And Hatton pulled off a career-best win to stop Tszyu in the 11th round of what was a brutal war. He became light-welterweight world champ. Eamonn Magee, June 2002 Hatton was dropped by the Irishman and looked to be on the brink of defeat. But he got to his feet and rallied back to win over 12 rounds – showcasing his trademark grit and determination. Jon Thaxton, October 2000 Hatton had to overcome a nasty cut – not for the first time in his career – to edge out a points win. It won him the British light-welterweight title. In trademark style, Barker doesn’t let the afternoon slip without a laugh. The Chelsea fan wants fans to run alongside him, like one of the most famous sporting inspirations in the history of cinema – but it’s not Rocky. “I want to be Forrest Gump,” the DAZN pundit said. “I want to create a movement, I want people to join me for a chat. It will be 100 miles per day but at a slow pace so anyone can join. “I really think this is me now, I am just going to keep building and building and helping as much as I can. “Come and join me for one mile or 100, I want to create something, together. “I am doing it but I want us all to be involved because it’s all in honour of the great man.” If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. Comment now