Former world champion Ricky Hatton admitted his disgust at having taken cocaine, but stressed he did not think he had a problem.

Hatton was diagnosed with depression and a drink problem by a specialist last week after a newspaper published video footage of the boxer allegedly snorting cocaine.

The News of the World secretly filmed Hatton, who has not fought since being knocked out in the second round of his May 2009 showdown with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, supposedly using “industrial quantities” of the drug during a marathon drinking session.

And the 31-year-old, who is to be investigated by police over his cocaine-usage allegations, told the News of the World yesterday: “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.”

But he added: “I’m not the slightest bit worried about the cocaine. Problem? What problem?

“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 and depression following his loss to Pacquiao.

Hatton said: “I’m currently in the Priory (rehabilitation centre) 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.”