By Michael Marley
Boxing's week of shame and stupidity came to a sorrowful but blazing finish this week as British tabloid News Of The World had a Page One story plus video of Ricky Hatton knocking himself out with a booze and drug binge.
On the bright side, perhaps the popular Mancunian was angling for a Coke endorsement deal.
In the video, Hatton does his human vacuum cleaner impression, "hoovering" seven lines of Bolivian Maching Powder into his nostrils.
Before Hatton, who earlier this week denied he has retired from the ring, lubricated himself before attending a fighting event.
Hatton oiled up with 11 pints of Guinness (Irish beer), four vodkas, two glasses of wine and capped his alcoholic fest with some Sambuccas.
The tabloid's source on Hatton's escapade is Irish amateur boxer, Emma Bowe, a 29 year old Dublin resident who Hatton seems to have taken a fancy to.
She told the newspaper in the expose that: “I'm only talking about this because Ricky is a danger to himself. If he carries on like this he'll kill himself.
"I'm really, really worried for him, especially if he tries to make a comeback in the ring as he's hinted - he could have a heart attack."
The inhaling of cocaine took place in Bowe’s hotel room in Hatton’s home city.
Hatton, only 31, may have difficulty getting a British Boxing Board of Control license unless he can explain this adventure.
What a week, eh?
Floyd Mayweather puts shame in his game, British heavyweight pretender David Hayemaker likens his fight with Audley Harrison to “a gang rape” and now Hatton’s been busted by the tabloid snoops.
Earlier this year, a different British tabloid ran a video showing Welsh ring hero Joe Calzaghe discussing his use of cociane.
Michael Marley is the national boxing examiner for examiner.com. To read more stories by Michael Marley, Click Here .