Ricky Hatton has denied taking cocaine after he was pictured with what appeared to be white powder on his nose in a recent social media post.
The legendary former world champion boxer insists the substance fans spotted on his nostril in an Instagram video was tobacco, and not cocaine. Hatton is currently recovering from surgery on his hand following his diagnosis with Dupuytren's disease, and has been forced out of a spot on the exhibition circuit alongside old rivals Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
And Hatton had fans worried in a recent social media post, with many concerned he may be suffering a relapse having previously struggled with his mental health. However, he insists the video, which was shot in February and shows him heading to the to the Albert Schloss bar in Manchester, shows granules of tobacco, not cocaine.
A source told The Sun fans would naturally "worry" about the fighter because he "doesn't look great", but his lawyers confirmed to the publication that it was a substance like snus that "Is easily available across the high street and supermarkets and subject to usual tobacco restrictions.”
The video shows Hatton having some crude banter with friends in a car, and engaging in some self-deprecating humour while the front camera on his phone is pointed towards him. "Tell you what, listen. Ricky Hatton MBE," he tells the camera. "Massive B*** End. Nice to see you."
Hatton returned to the ring last November for an exhibition bout with Marco Antonio Barrera, and appeared to have turned his life around in the hopes of entering the exhibition circuit like Mayweather or Pacquiao. The former world champions are paid handsomely to take on bouts that aren't scored and are essentially heavy spars in front of a crowd on pay-per-view.
But his recent injury may have cost him that opportunity, with his hands undergoing surgery. He still, however, posts footage of himself at his Manchester gym showing off his hand speed, and is involved in the training of a number of fighters including his son Campbell.
The former two-weight world champion needed multiple stitches on his hand after undergoing surgery and showed off his battle scars in a graphic picture. "Had a great time away but can’t wait to get back in the gym with me boxers. Had a serious operation when I got Dupuytrens disease. I’ve not been able to punch or do pads for about three months," Hatton wrote.
