Ricky Hatton’s spokesman Max Clifford says his client feels he has let everyone down “badly,” and promises to “sort himself out” over a now infamous video of him abusing cocaine.
Earlier this week, gossip publication News of the World posted a damning clip of Hatton snorting several lines of cocaine. The 31-year-old fighter did not speak, but used a credit card to space his lines and was clearly visible throughout the clip.
The video itself was courtesy of a friend, female Irish fighter Emma Bowe, who secretly filmed Hatton two weeks ago in her hotel room at News of the World’s behest. She did not disclose her financial compensation for the act, but claimed her actions were due to her fear of Hatton killing himself. According to Bowe, the clip was just a small portion of a 10 hour cocaine and alcohol binge.
“I’m doing this for Ricky’s own good,” she justified to the Daily Mail. “I hope he gets help and advice before cocaine destroys him…’Ricky was my hero and to see him abusing drugs was such a letdown. He was a real role model. I didn’t expect that of him.”
Hatton himself hasn’t explicitly said he has a drug problem, but acknowledged through Clifford his failings and need to take personal responsibility.
“He feels he’s let everybody that matters down badly, his friends, his family, his fans and of course most of all himself, that he is, in his own words, he’s been in a bad place for some time, probably before even his last fight and obviously he’s really upset about what has happened but he totally takes responsibility, takes the blame, ‘It’s all down to me,'” Clifford detailed. “He just wants to let everybody know how he feels, he’s got to sort himself out.”
“I think it is fair to say, friends and family have been trying to warn him in recent times, for the last few months and now they are all hoping this situation will bring him to his senses,” he continued. “I think obviously everybody is hoping some good will come out of this.”
Hatton has not fought since suffering a chilling second round KO to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009. Although he’s said on several occasions that he didn’t want his career to end that way, the Hitman has been hesitant to commit to a return bout. Speculation for a comeback intensified in July when he renewed his boxing license, which is now in jeopardy of being suspended due to the cocaine exposure.
The damaging video adds Hatton to a celebrity list that includes fellow boxer Joe Calzaghe and rapper Soulja Boy as individuals who have recently seen their cocaine habits exposed through secretly filmed footage.
Hatton’s professional record is 45-2 with 32 KOs.
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One of the sad things about media in recent years is how low people will sink to get attention and money. Case in point Hatton’s “friend” Emma Rose, who instead of reaching out to his family for an intervention, humiliates him in front of the whole world. I use the term “friend” loosely considering he felt comfortable enough around her to go on an alcohol and drug binge. Well all know what mixing drugs, alcohol and women normally leads to. And considering he was doing lines in her bathroom, I’m sure aside from working on his drug issues, he’s having to make amends with long-time live-in girlfriend Jennifer Dooley.
Regarding the actual drug use, it’s not surprising. Despite less media attention in recent times, cocaine has never went out of style as the drug of choice amongst celebrities. With the hectic schedules of most entertainers, the narcotic’s stimulant qualities continue to be favored by many. In Hatton’s case, it could be tied to depression and lack of direction now that his career as a fighter is essentially over. It’s hard to accept that you can no longer do something you’ve dedicated your life to and excelled at for many years. The fight excitement and adulation from the fans is very hard for boxers to give up. It’s all many of them know.
I don’t want to see Ricky Hatton for a long time. This is a private journey he’ll have to undertake with the help of close family and real friends. Addiction is a constant struggle, and I hope when the Hitman comes back he’s renewed physically, emotionally and spiritually. He has his toughest battle ahead of him.
Good luck, Ricky.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
really sad, hope he sorts himself out, both him and joe are obviously having trouble dealing with all the time and money they have on their hands now… his good mate wayne rooney (the football/soccer player) is having trouble to as of late to, theyre wifes/girlfriends are also good friends to, hope they can all help each other out and move on with their lives…