Hatton offers cocaine excuse

London - Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has blamed his struggle to cope with retirement for his binge drinking and drug use.

VIDEO: Ricky Hatton caught snorting cocaine

Hatton was admitted to a rehabilitation clinic after the News of the World tabloid published a video last weekend appearing to show him snorting cocaine. Hatton's spokesperson later confirmed the use of drugs.

"I am currently in the Priory (clinic) dealing with depression due to the fact I have not been able to cope with my retirement from boxing," Hatton said in a video interview on the paper's website on Saturday.

"I have been binge drinking heavily and dabbling in other daft and silly things. But it will be the toughest fight of my life and I am here to win it."

The full version of the interview will be published on Sunday.

Hatton, who is a former four-time world champion in two weight divisions, has not fought since losing to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009.