THE BRITISH BOXING Board of Control (BBBC) will seek  to meet with former World Champion Ricky Hatton over newspaper allegations of cocaine use.

The 31-year old could be suspended, fined or have both his promoter’s and fight licences revoked. “The Board want to see Ricky at the earliest opportunity and discuss the issues raised in the press accounts,” said BBBC chairman Charles Giles.

Hatton will enter a rehabilitation clinic on Monday, according to a spokesperson. Hatton last fought in May 2009, losing to Manny Pacquiao but has never ruled out a return to the ring and recently had his BBC fight licence renewed.

On Sunday Hatton’s spokesman Max Clifford said:

“I have spoken to Ricky just half an hour ago. He is very upset and very subdued, very flat. He feels he’s let everybody that matters down badly – his friends, his family, his fans and of course most of all himself … in his own words, he’s been in a bad place for some time, probably before even his last fight and obviously he’s really upset about what has happened, but he totally takes responsibility, takes the blame. He just wants to let everybody know how he feels. He’s got to sort himself out. He feels devastated and we all hope this will be the wake-up call.”