Former boxing champion Ricky Hatton ‘distraught’ after newspaper allegations

Hatton ‘distraught’ after newspaper allegations

LONDON — A spokesman for Ricky Hatton says the boxer is “distraught” after a newspaper published a photo that it says shows him snorting cocaine.

Publicist Max Clifford says people close to Hatton had been urging him to get help and they’re hoping the published photo “will bring him to his senses.”

The News of the World put a picture on its front page Sunday that it says shows the former four-time world champion in two weight divisions snorting cocaine at a Manchester hotel two weeks ago.

Clifford says Hatton has been “in a bad place for some time.”

Hatton has not fought since losing to Manny Pacquiao in May last year — only the second defeat of his career — but hasn’t officially retired.