A year ago, Ricky was 15st 4 lbs, drinking every weekend, and neglecting his health.
The British boxing legend was 43 years old when he was training professional fighters in his gym in Hyde in Manchester from Monday to Friday, but admits he was fat.
He got a call from Marco Antonio Barrera asking if he would be interested in fighting him in an exhibition fight at the AO Arena in Manchester.
He jumped at the chance to help people and himself.
He says it was an easy decision to make.
To get in shape and inspire a lot of people is what the purpose was.
"I haven't even set foot in the ring yet but the letters, comments of people who've struggled with weight, struggled with mental health, have said: 'WOW, if you can do it, what you've been through and shift all that weight at 44 years of
That's what it's all about for me.
The bout was supposed to take place in July but was delayed due to an injury to Hughie Fury.
The exhibition against Mexico's Barrera won't count towards Hatton's professional record and will be eight two-minute rounds.
His family didn't take to the idea immediately.
They were aware of how low he became after losing to two great athletes. The dark times of his life were caused by the defeats he suffered.
There were people who didn't think he could shift the weight after losing a fight.
There were whispers in and around the pub. What did he say there? He thinks he will have a fight again. He said he loved proving people wrong.
The weight was lost by the man.
He shed two stone by the original fight date but the postponement gave him four extra months to train and now in fight week in November he weighs just 11st 6 lbs and appears as a changed man.
Ricky Fatton is no longer relevant. He says it's the new Ricky.
Hatton says it's all about showing will. He hasn't been able to kick his tea addiction, but he has stopped drinking alcohol completely and is down from 8 to 2 a day.
His parents and loved ones have come to the realization that he needs to fight again. A big part of his return to the ring is his desire to share the story of how he got to this point.
He knew his career was over after he was knocked out by the Filipino boxer.
I had no fighting. It was time for my career to end. I didn't like my parents. Billy Graham and I fell out. It got to rock bottom when that happened.
I just left the warpath. I was going to kill myself. It was terrible to see.
People turn around and ask why you are doing the exhibition. You will know why I'm here if you saw me in that time. You wouldn't ask about it.
A number of former pros are competing in exhibitions. In the past few years, he has made millions by popularising stripped-back contests.
He has fought in his hometown of Manchester 19 times. The fighter who grew up in Hyde is open to the idea of taking on someone like Mayweather in the future, but doesn't want to call him out.
"I think my family, my loved ones and parents could see, everyone from my boxers in the gym to my kids and grandkids was getting a better Ricky Hatton because I was in such a good place," he says.
My parents and my family have said that it's the best thing I've done because they've seen what Ricky Hatton has done.
If another comes up, we'll put on a good show.
There's nothing negative that comes from it for me as a person. If I do another one, I know I won't be able to do it forever.
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