Publicist Max Clifford has confirmed that former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has consulted a rehabilitation specialist following allegations at the weekend that he used cocaine

Clifford told the Press Association that Hatton had been suffering from severe depression and said: "Ricky's father has already been talking to the specialists over the last few weeks.

"He and others have been increasingly concerned about Ricky's depression and his drinking."

Following pictures printed in Sunday's News of the World of Ricky Hatton, Ladbrokes (use bonus code FB25 to claim a £25 free bet) make the Manchester fighter 10/1 to win any of boxing's major world titles by the end of 2011.

The former world champion renewed his licence this summer and there have been rumours of a return to the ring to face Amir Khan.

Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams said: "Hatton will have to come from an awfully long way back if he's going to rediscover his former glory days.

"We can't see it happening."

Clifford added: "He met with the specialist [on Monday] for four, five, six hours and he was told that his depression is severe and that he has a drink problem.

"The drugs are quite recent and not actually the problem when we're talking about degrees."

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