Hatton tells of disgust athimself afterdrug claims

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 on Monday.

Hatton, 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.

Speaking to the News of the World he said: “I’m so angry I could knock myself out.

“I’m disgusted at myself for what I have done. I’ve had a wonderful career and am furious that I have tarnished it.”

Hatton, however, insisted he did not have a problem.

He said: “I’m not the slightest bit worried about the cocaine. Problem? What problem?”

He added: “I have dabbled with the drug on a few sparing occasions. The only time I have ever done it is when I have been so depressed or drunk that it’s a case of, ‘Go on then’.”

The boxer revealed he had been suffering blackouts, panic attacks and depression following a second round defeat. He has not fought since May 2009.

In a video clip, on the newspaper’s website, he says: “I’m currently in the Priory dealing with depression due to the fact that I have not been able to cope with my retirement from boxing.

“I have been binge drinking heavily and dabbling in other daft and silly things but it is going to be the toughest fight of my life and I’m here to win it.”

The two-weight world champion was out with friend Emma Bowe, an Irish national senior women’s boxing champion, when he was caught on camera.

Hatton has battled with drink and severe depression for “several weeks”, according to his spokesman Max Clifford.

Greater Manchester Police said it planned to question him.