Ricky Hatton copies Calzaghe

[ukchataway]

Ricky to his credit has worked wonders for boxing and as a man, "Once met he is never forgotten".

He ring skills and personnal charm stop him from being a boxer, a celeb, but he enters our home (although via the TV and via our personnal invitation as viewers) almost makes him part of the family, especially if you're a local such as he.

Whilst he is not the first to be betrayed be friend, who culd've filmed him, shown it to him in private and said how easily it could've ended up with the press and hope it had the desired effect, they didn't.

Under no circumstances can we condone illegal drug use by anyone, no matter who they are.

One common theme running through this thread is "People Care" and they care about Ricky and his health, future etc, but we are allowed to be upset as you would do with anyone you respect.

Can Ricky come back from, I would not only say YES, but shout YES. He has the physical and mental stamina, but more importantly he has the support structure from family, friends then many many fans.

But we still live in a society where we can express our opinion, even if it it is not one that satifies everyone.

[Gandalf]

Ricky to his credit has worked wonders for boxing and as a man, "Once met he is never forgotten".

He ring skills and personnal charm stop him from being a boxer, a celeb, but he enters our home (although via the TV and via our personnal invitation as viewers) almost makes him part of the family, especially if you're a local such as he.

Whilst he is not the first to be betrayed be friend, who culd've filmed him, shown it to him in private and said how easily it could've ended up with the press and hope it had the desired effect, they didn't.

Under no circumstances can we condone illegal drug use by anyone, no matter who they are.

One common theme running through this thread is "People Care" and they care about Ricky and his health, future etc, but we are allowed to be upset as you would do with anyone you respect.

Can Ricky come back from, I would not only say YES, but shout YES. He has the physical and mental stamina, but more importantly he has the support structure from family, friends then many many fans.

But we still live in a society where we can express our opinion, even if it it is not one that satifies everyone.

I agree with a lot of that.

Many of us on here have probably used illegal drugs, but you would never imagine anyone to regard that as a positive thing. Just as the drunk laid out cold in the street is regarded as a loser, so too is the sad, old coke head up every night snorting to his hearts content. It doesn't and can't lead to anything praiseworthy. You would rather your best friend was a normal dependable guy rather than a strung out boozer/druggy. With a drug like coke it does tend to lead to extremes too. If you have enough money to buy all the coke you can, then you will. To try and say "well you've all done it, so don't be a hypocrite" is besides the point. Most people give up that kind of lifestyle; especially when reality starts to hit them in the face. In this instance Hatton got a cold hard slap and the reality was right in front of us all.

Apparently he is off to rehab now and I hope it isn't just lipservice. Looking at the way he was snorting that stuff, he is no novice. This is likely a man who has been doing this a fair while now. I wish him well in cleaning himself up, but wish he would sort the diet and booze out along with it too. Hatton is done as a boxer, but if he can just sort himself out he can still be a force for good in the world of boxing.