The British Boxing Board of Control has fined Ricky Hatton $31,000 and stripped him of his boxing license due to an admission of cocaine use.
Hatton, a former linear junior welterweight champion, admitted himself into rehab after tabloid publication News of the World posted video of him sorting lines of cocaine. Earlier this week, the retired boxer vowed to beat his personal struggled with depression, which surfaced after his knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009.
The British board justified their ruling after seeing current physical condition, which showed the former 140 pound fighter well over 200 pounds in his News of the World interview. In July, Hatton had applied for and received renewal of his boxing license. But in his latest interview, the Hitman revealed that he has decided to retire.
“The board found Ricky Hatton guilty of misconduct in that his actions and behavior were detrimental to the interests of boxing and to the public interest and that he had brought the sport into disrepute,” the board explained in a statement. “Ricky Hatton is not an active boxer and his current physical condition is such that the board decided to withdraw his boxer’s license.”
Regarding the fine, the British Boxing Board of Control justified the ruling on the grounds that there is zero tolerance for substance abuse. They hope the ruling will be an example and deter other fighters from abusing narcotics.
“The board is especially concerned to keep the sport of boxing free from drugs, whether taken for recreational or performance-enhancing reasons, and to be vigilant in identifying and dealing with cases of alcohol abuse,” the board’s statement read.
Hatton is currently receiving his treatment at The Priory in Cheshire, England.
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