Ricky Hatton loses licence over drugs allegations

Former world champion Ricky Hatton has had his boxer's licence withdrawn by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The 31-year-old, who is to be investigated by police over allegations he snorted cocaine in a hotel room, was admitted to a rehabilitation clinic ten days ago.

A BBBofC statement yesterday read: "Mr Ricky Hatton MBE was legally represented at a hearing held by the stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control on Wednesday, 22 September 2010 to answer charges of bringing boxing into disrepute arising out of incidents of alcohol and drug abuse by him.

"The board is especially concerned to keep the sport of boxing free from drugs, whether taken for recreational or performance enhancing reasons and to be vigilant in identifying and dealing with cases of alcohol abuse.

"At the hearing, the board found Ricky Hatton guilty of misconduct in that his actions and behaviour were detrimental to the interests of boxing and to the public interest and that he had brought the sport into disrepute. Ricky Hatton is not an active boxer and his current physical condition is such that the Board decided to withdraw his boxer's licence."

Hatton was also fined 20,000 and had his manager's and second's licences revoked, but the BBBofC saw no benefit in withdrawing his promoter's licence.

The statement continued: "Ricky Hatton's manager's and second's licences allow him to have close, day-to-day contact with participants in the sport and the board has taken the view that his conduct and present circumstances make such contact wholly inappropriate. Consequently, the board has decided to withdraw such licences.

"Having considered all the circumstances, in particular the role of promoter, the fact that Hatton Promotions is a large organisation employing a number of experienced individuals in varying roles, the board concluded that justice would not be served by withdrawing his promoter's licence.

The two-weight former world champion, who was secretly filmed taking what is alleged to be lines of the class A drug on a night out, gave a candid interview in which he revealed his anger and pledged to fight and win his way back to health. He will be interviewed by police when his rehabilitation is complete.