Former boxing world champion Kell Brook has issued a heartfelt apology days after he was filmed appearing to snort a white powder.
The video appeared to show the retired boxer bent over a coffee table in his kitchen, and using a roll-up to consume the powder. More white powder is visible on the table and the 36-year-old muttered "nice" after the act.
Brook's manager later denied his client was guilty of wrongdoing but the fighter himself has now apologised, tweeting: "I messed up. I hold my hands up and want to apologise to my family, gym, friends and fans. It’s no secret that I struggle with mental health and I'm finding retirement really hard. I'm actively seeking the help I need to get me on the right path. Again I apologise for the hurt I’ve caused."
Brook has not fought since he stopped bitter rival Amir Khan almost 12 months ago but has been linked with fights against Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. The video, which was published by The Sun, showed Brook wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a picture of legendary fighter Joe Louis.
Brook was also filmed shadowboxing in front of a framed portrait of himself after winning his world title against Shawn Porter in 2014. A witness told the newspaper: "He had a bit of a gathering at his house where people were drinking spirits and smoking. He was snorting white powder."
Brook's manager Terry Thompson later said: "This is a thing that has sort of got out of hand. They were at his house, they were having a laugh. They were joking about things. He said to them, ‘Film me having a laugh’.” He also denied that the white powder was cocaine.
Brook could yet make a return to the ring despite hanging up his gloves and was in attendance for Liam Smith's KO win over Eubank Jr last month. Ahead of the fight, promoter Ben Shalom said: "Kell will be there on Saturday. He's desperate for the winner of that fight. He wanted the Eubank fight after the Khan fight.
"He feels he wants the winner of this fight whether that's Liam Smith or whether that's Eubank Jr. There is a rematch clause, so if Liam does win Eubank will have the option with that one. But there'll be massive fights for whoever the winner is."
