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Manchester - Ricky Hatton has been admitted to a rehabilitation clinic after newspaper reports that the former champion used cocaine.
VIDEO:
Ricky Hatton caught snorting cocaine
He added that "the drugs are quite recent and not actually the problem."
Clifford said Hatton's father and others had been "increasingly concerned about his depression and his drinking".
"His father has been talking to the specialists over the last few weeks," Clifford said.
"He met with the specialist (on Monday) for four, five, six hours and he was told that his depression is severe and that he has a drink problem. "
Hatton also faces a meeting with the British Boxing Board of Control over the allegations.
According to reports he could be suspended, fined or have his fight and promoters' licences withdrawn.
"The Board want to see Ricky at the earliest opportunity and discuss the issues raised in the press accounts," said BBBC chairman Charles Giles.
Hatton has not fought since losing to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009 but has not officially retired.
The News of the World published a front-page picture last Sunday that it said showed Hatton snorting cocaine two weeks ago.
The newspaper secretly filmed Hatton supposedly using "industrial quantities" of the drug during a marathon ten-hour drinking session, reports Sapa-AFP.
Clifford, said earlier on Monday, "The thing is now to sort out the problem, to get him to have treatment and hopefully win this battle.
"I think he'll be going to get professional help; to talk to the people he needs to talk to; the people who are experts in these circumstances.
"I think the intention is that he's going to be looked after and hopefully will listen and find out what they tell him and what treatment they give him.
"He needs expert advice and help, as anyone in these circumstances does and, from the conversation I had with him yesterday, that will start today.
"I've spoken to his dad and Paul Speak (his agent) and they all speak with one voice: he needs help and we're all going to make sure that he gets the best help possible as quickly as possible."
The newspaper claims the video footage was captured over several hours at a Manchester hotel two weeks ago while Hatton was on a night out with friend Emma Bowe, 29, the Irish national senior women's boxing champion.
She told the paper Hatton also binged on drink by sinking 11 pints of Guinness, vodka, wine and sambuca during the night out.
"I'm talking about this only because Ricky is a danger to himself. If he carries on like this he'll kill himself," she is quoted as saying.
"I'm really, really worried for him, especially if he tries to make a comeback in the ring as he's hinted. He could have a heart attack."
Hatton became a household name and huge favourite of boxing fans for his aggressive style and reputation as a ferocious body puncher, attributes which earned him the nickname "The Hitman".
Although brutally outclassed by Pacquiao last year, Hatton has yet to confirm his retirement from the sport.
