Hatton in cocaine report

The video was given to the News of the World by a friend of Hatton's, Emma Bowe, who told the paper: "I'm only talking about this because Ricky is a danger to himself.

"If he carries on like this he'll kill himself."

Hatton built up a legion of loyal fans in a glittering career, and first claimed the IBF Light Welterweight title in 2005 with a superb display against Australian Kostya Tszyu.

The "Hitman" then won titles at welterweight and put his unbeaten record on the line in late 2007 against the fighter regarded at the time as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, Floyd Mayweather Junior.

The American inflicted his first ever defeat, knocking him out in the eighth round, and when Hatton had another chance to fight one of the world's very best, Filipino Manny Pacquiao, the result was even more devastating.

Since that encounter in May 2009 Hatton has been in semi-retirement, with the whispered talk of a return coming to nothing.

The adjustment after a career in the limelight is not an easy one for any fighter, and fellow retired boxer Joe Calzaghe was also caught by the News of the World using the same drug in March this year.

A source close to his family has said to Sky News: "Ricky Hatton's family will stand by and support him following the cocaine allegations in the News of the World."