Frank Warren wants Hatton banned
Top English promoter Frank Warren demanded boxing ban his former fighter, Ricky Hatton, on Monday after a British tabloid published pictures this weekend showing him snort lines of cocaine in a bathroom.
Warren has been promoting in England since 1980. He has developed some of the country’s best fighters, including “Prince” Naseem Hamad, Nigel Benn, Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan.
Hatton and Warren worked together until Hatton won the junior welterweight IBF title, at which point Warren was dumped unceremoniously.
Warren said that he was not overtly surprised the incident, adding that even prior to their promotional split five years ago, Hatton was binging in the pubs.
"It's very sad that this has happened, but I can't say I'm surprised. There have been rumours going round the sport for ages and from what we've seen this weekend it appears that they were true,” Warren told the Sun.
According to Warren, the drug use shown is probably just the tip of the iceberg, and definitely not a one-time incident. “If you watch the video of him snorting the drugs, it doesn't exactly look as though he is doing it for the first time. Ricky clearly has problems. He has an addictive personality and needs to get treatment.”
This summer Hatton renewed his boxing license with the British Boxing Board of Control. He currently promotes many top British boxing prospects.
Warren would like that the Board ban Hatton, as well as place the control of stable of fighters in more able hands until the boxer resolves personal problems.
"The Board of Control need to show their mettle and ban him until he sorts himself out. Ricky obviously needs help and I hope for his sake he gets it. He has brought the sport into disrepute and must not be allowed to fight or promote again until he can show he is clean," Warren claimed.
Hatton is expected to seek rehabilitation Monday.
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