Hatton enters rehab
Ricky Hatton’s descent from two-weight world champion to celebrity addict continued as he was admitted to rehab last night.
“The Hitman” strolled down that well-trodden path laid by rock stars, footballers, models and anyone else in the public eye who needs to conquer their demons.
A statement on the former WBA, IBF and IBO champion’s Hatton promotions website said: “Following an emotional meeting with his close family last night, Ricky Hatton is this morning going to hospital to seek treatment for his current problems.
“During the meeting, Ricky asked for the help of his family and admitted he hadn't realised how his life had got off track recently. He says he feels ashamed at how he has let down his mother and father, his son, his brother and his girlfriend and also apologises to all his fans for his behaviour. He is now determined to get his life back on track and realises that he needs the professional help that will be available to him in hospital.
“As you can imagine those close to Ricky are deeply concerned about him and are relieved that he has asked for help.
“For those of us here at Hatton TV, the behaviour portrayed in the newspapers over the weekend is not the real Ricky Hatton we know. We would like to wish him well in his fight to conquer his problems and return to being the boxing hero loved by millions.
“Good luck Ricky from all of us.”
Hatton was caught in a drugs sting by the News of the World taking cocaine, a story that broke on Sunday and soon spread throughout the country. Like anyone with a famous name and a drug problem the obvious next step was to haul him off to rehab.
It’s well documented that Hatton has always been a drinker, a big fan of a well-earned Guinness after a world championship fight and his weight often fluctuated as a result. However people always saw Hatton as a funny, likeable guy and few expected him to be depressed and taking drugs.
The Hitman hasn’t fought since his defeat to Manny Pacquiao last year when he was knocked out in harrowing fashion by the lightning-fisted Filipino. That defeat particularly in the brutal style it was executed left Hatton with nowhere to go in the sport, he was a top class fighter, but he lacked that extra 5% he need to take on two great fighters like Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
Part of the problem boxers find when retiring is that they have nowhere to go having only just been sat aloft as kings of the ring. It must be a strange feeling to go from being the champ, to knowing your career is over and you have nothing to do. Hatton has kept busy with his promotions company and word is he was looking to move on to the stand-up comedy circuit but nothing will ever compare to holding a world championship belt.
His demise has reverberated around the boxing community. The British Boxing Board of Control has said they would like to have a word with Hatton and former manager turned nemesis Frank Warren has called for them to review his licence.
Warren and Hatton had a much publicised falling out which ended in Hatton having to pulp his autobiography. So it’s no real surprise to see the promoter wade in and offer his views on the situation.
Realistically though as Hatton said last week his career is probably over anyway, so the question over his licence may be irrelevant.
These are dark days for Hatton as he looks to get back on his feet. One thing he may want to do when he gets clean and sober is change his nickname.
The Hitman is probably not a wise choice for a former substance abuser.
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