HAS there been a sadder boxing story this year than the one which saw Ricky Hatton, a man who not so long ago vied with pal Wayne Rooney for back-page column inches, usurping the disgraced footballer?s position on the front cover of yesterday?s News of the World?
Rooney did not get off scot-free however. In the same edition of the nation?s favourite tabloid, Gary Lineker used his column to encourage the public not to feel too sorry for the striker. For me, there was no encouragement required ? Rooney?s actions were deplorable and he has yet to show any remorse ? so perhaps I am a hypocrite as I do pity Hatton. I have sympathy for ?The Hitman? in a way I did not when Joe Calzaghe?s problem was similarly exposed.
Firstly, Calzaghe attempted to brush over the issues when he?d been caught out. Although Hatton being taped snorting cocaine did not leave much room for ambiguity, his comments since the incident occurred suggest contrition on his part. Through the ever-rich publicist Max Clifford, Hatton has said he is ?distraught and devestated? and, more pertinently, realises he ?has let down everyone who matters?. This suggests he feels guilt regarding his family ? including fianc?e Jennifer and son Cameron ? but also that he, unlike Rooney, recognises his position as a role model and takes that responsibility seriously.
Hatton clearly sought to shield those close to him, as well as the wider public, from his actions. His trangression took place behind the closed doors of a hotel room. While this does not excuse Ricky?s behaviour, he clearly did not want his fans to know or to emulate him in this regard.
Some people are blaming the paper but I refuse to join them. If a publisher ? any publisher ? is approached by someone who says they have evidence of a famous sports star using a Class A drug they will bite the unformant?s hand off and understandably so. It?s ironic that Hatton?s command of the front page underlines just what a big star he still is. This was no Calzaghe-style sting ? there were no fake Sheiks in the vicinity. Hatton was sold out by a supposed friend, an Irish amateur female boxer who shall not be named in this blog as I believe she has already enjoyed far too much publicity. This ?friend? said she exposed Hatton?s vice as she was worried about him. I hope that if I am ever famous (unlikely) and develop a serious drug problem (sadly marginally more likely than impending fame) I have a friend who would selflessly inform the entire nation of my issue, in the hope that they could help me repent. A friend who was so concerned they watched me snort the white powder without batting an eyelid. A friend who talked not to me nor my family about her worries.
But, sad as it is, this isn?t ultimately the ?friend?s? fault either. Hatton seems to accept this with his comments thus far. The ?friend? and the tabloid have brought the problem to a wider audience but only Hatton is to blame for his own mistakes, and allowing this woman to be a witness to his drug-taking was another example of that.
Frank Warren has called for Hatton to be banned from boxing and the Board have asked to speak to ?The Hitman?, but I?m not sure that is necessary. There is no love lost between the pair but, aside from that, Hatton has not fought for over a year ? despite recently renewing his boxing license ? and has little hands-on involvement in the promotional company which bears his family name. He is a figurehead, a role which has been devalued by this scandal. Banning Hatton would be practically pointless and counter-productive, despite sending out a clear anti-drugs message. We know little of the details in this case ? whether it was a one-off, how long it?s been going on and is it a response to the void the constant cycle of training and rest once occupied. Hatton needs boxing more than ever right now.
Ricky Hatton has given the fans many exciting nights over the years. He has kept boxing in the public eye ? until now for the right reasons ? at a time when the sport has been increasingly marginalised. I?m not suggesting supportes ?owe? Hatton but one transgression in which the main victim is himself should not turn fans against their former hero. He?s inspired a devoted following throughout his career. Do not abandon him now. Until next time?
