Boxer Ricky Hatton is said to be distraught about revelations of cocaine abuse which appeared in the News of the World on Sunday morning.
A picture on the front of the newspaper appeared to show Hatton snorting cocaine at a Manchester hotel two weeks ago.
Speaking on behalf of Hatton, publicist Max Clifford told BBC Radio Five Live that Hatton “feels he’s let everybody that matters down badly” and that he has been urged by family and friends to go into rehab.
“He does recognise that he’s in a bad way mentally and been in a bad place for some considerable time, a year or so,” added Clifford.
“He needs to face it full on and show the courage he always did whenever he climbed into the ring.
“We all have to wait and watch and see what happens but what I’m hoping is that he tackles it with courage.
“I hope this will bring him to his senses and make him face up to a problem that has been concerning people for a while.
“I hope he can sort himself out and get himself clear because everyone knows that [with drug use] it’s a one-way path.”
Although Hatton has yet to retire officially from boxing, he hasn’t fought since his defeat to Manny Pacquaio in May of last year and has been involved in a lot of promotional work for the sport since then.
