Once I got beat by Mayweather I felt so ashamed. I cancelled all my functions, all my appearances, I didn't want to walk down the street. I was too embarrassed to even go and have a pint with my mates.
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.
Depression is a serious thing and, after my defeat to Pacquiao, I was facing retirement and didn't cope with it very well.
People say, 'We remember the good times.' Well I remember the bad times.
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.
I feel happier about things, I don't blame myself over the losses.
I can remember how I felt the first time I was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. My first fight afterwards was against Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium. Every time I got punched I felt like I would wobble.
I'm known for my strength and it helped that from a young age I was carrying around crates of beer or carpets and heavy rolls of underlay.
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.
You can't kid the public. When they see me they see I'm just a kid off a council estate - no more, no less.
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.
The thing is with boxers we don't come from Cambridge and places like that, we come from council estates. So in boxing it's very, very hard.
People with success are less able to cope because you're used to being on Mount Everest and when it's gone, what do you do?
Pacquiao has been stopped a 'couple of times by body shots and has been knocked out and I don't think there's anything you can do to improve your ribs or chin.
I'd go into the pub and start crying even before I'd had my first drink.
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.
I was always very depressed, even when I was a youngster.
First time I had my defeat, it was very hard to come to terms with.
I've always been the local lad, boy done well, kid next door.
It's a hard game, boxing. You're up every morning running every day, you train in the afternoon, you're dieting, you're up and down in weight and it can wear you down.
