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London - Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton is to seek help after a newspaper published photos and video footage of the boxer allegedly snorting cocaine.
VIDEO: Ricky Hatton caught snorting cocaine
The News of the World secretly filmed Hatton, who has not fought since being knocked out in the second round of his May 2009 showdown with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, supposedly using "industrial quantities" of the drug during a marathon 10-hour drinking session.
Hatton's spokesman Max Clifford told talkSPORT 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 today (Monday to get professional help) to talk to the people he needs to talk to. 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 states 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 only talking about this 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.
VIDEO: Ricky Hatton caught snorting cocaine
The News of the World secretly filmed Hatton, who has not fought since being knocked out in the second round of his May 2009 showdown with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, supposedly using "industrial quantities" of the drug during a marathon 10-hour drinking session.
Hatton's spokesman Max Clifford told talkSPORT 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 today (Monday to get professional help) to talk to the people he needs to talk to. 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 states 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 only talking about this 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.
