LONDON, (Reuters) – British boxing authorities stripped former world champion Ricky Hatton of his licence to fight on Thursday and fined him 20,000 pounds ($31,320) for bringing the sport into disrepute through drink and drug abuse.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) said in a statement that Hatton, who has not fought since he was stopped by Filipino Manny Pacquaio in Las Vegas in May 2009, would be allowed to keep his promoter’s licence.
However, the former welterweight and light-welterweight champion had his licences to manage and act as a second, or assistant, withdrawn. Hatton, 31, voluntarily entered rehabilitation 10 days ago after newspaper allegations of cocaine use that are being investigated by police.
The BBBC said Hatton, who has been described by his spokesman Max Clifford as “distraught and devastated” by the revelations, was represented by lawyers at a stewards’ hearing on Wednesday.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
The Board said Hatton’s present circumstances made it “wholly inappropriate” that he should have close, day to day contact with active boxers as a manager or second.
It added that it had given “long and hard consideration” about the Manchester fighter’s promoter’s licence but had decided not to take it away because of the effect that would have on innocent employees of Hatton Promotions.
Hatton, who regularly ballooned in weight before fasting dramatically for his fights, won 45 of his 47 bouts as a professional.
