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LONDON Ricky Hatton “feels he's let everybody that matters down badly” after being secretly filmed by a newspaper allegedly snorting cocaine, the spokesman of the former world light-welterweight champion said Sunday.
A photograph on the front page of the News of the World shows Hatton snorting what the Sunday tabloid claims was cocaine at a Manchester hotel two weeks ago.
“Clearly he's distraught about it, very upset and very subdued,” said publicist Max Clifford, speaking on behalf of Hatton. “He's been in a bad place for some time ... and obviously he's really upset about what has happened but he totally takes responsibility.
“He just wants to let everybody know how he feels. He's got to sort himself out.”
The 31-year-old Hatton is the latest high-profile sportsman to face front-page allegations from the newspaper.
It was alleged last week that England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney slept with two prostitutes while his wife Coleen was pregnant. Rooney, who did not play for United in the team's 3-3 draw at Everton on Saturday, issued a joint statement with his wife on Friday asking the media to respect their privacy amid the allegations.
Pakistan cricketers have also been at the centre of allegations by the News of the World, accused of spot fixing during the test against England at Lord's last month.
Hatton has not fought since losing to Manny Pacquiao in May last year - only the second defeat of his career - but has not officially retired.
Clifford said those close to Hatton had been urging the boxer to get help.
“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,” Clifford said.
“I think obviously everybody is hoping some good will come out of this. He feels devastated and we all hope this will be the wake-up call.”
Hatton, who held the light-welterweight title before moving up successfully to welterweight, was first defeated when he lost comprehensively to Floyd Mayweather in 2007. He has recently been involved in promotional work. —AP
