Amir Khan wants to help Ricky Hatton
WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan has announced that he wants to be in Ricky Hatton’s corner for his fight against depression and substance abuse.
Khan was shocked to hear of Hatton’s substance abuse problems and that the former IBF junior welterweight champion had checked into a rehabilitation center.
“Ricky is a very good friend of mine,” he said. “I am here to give him any help he needs and I hope he gets over his problems soon.”
Amir Khan is set to defend his title against Marcos Rene Maidana in Las Vegas on 11 December. The bout was finalized last week after negotiations came to a stand-still and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer,
who promotes both fighters, was forced to settle terms.
Khan also said in regards to Hatton: “Hatton has done something wrong, but everyone makes mistakes in their life at one time or another.”
In the past Khan had talked about challenging Hatton in the ring, but the fight looks all but impossible given Hatton’s recent predicament. Hatton also confirmed after the incident that it is unlikely
he will ever enter the ring again. He said: “I know I am never going to fight again but I know I have to fight this battle and win. I need to move on and find something else in my life, whether it be golf or fishing. I feel great shame but I know I can get
myself back on track."
In his last bout in May 2009 Hatton was knocked out in the second round by Manny Pacquiao. In a recent interview, Hatton said that he was humiliated after the devastating loss and slowly started abusing
substances to cope with depression and being inactive as a fighter.
Frank Warren, the big-time British boxing promoter, has advised that Hatton be relieved from promotional duties until he can show the world his life is back on track.
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