Ricky Hatton's health concerns

The Sunday Mirror reports that Ricky Hatton has been been told by doctors to take a very serious approach to his diet and drinking. A recent illness has had Hatton's health in the news a lot lately, and a heart murmur could be a very serious concern for him at this time.

Hatton, 30, who has a heart murmur, has been told to lay off the booze and improve his diet.

The former world champion had tests last week after doctors noticed an irregular heartbeat. They spotted the condition after he was admitted to hospital with a stomach complaint, and will run further tests.

They have warned Hatton – one of the finest professionals in British boxing history – that his health could be at risk by over-exercising and training.

While he waits, he has been advised to rest for a month.

Hatton isn't commenting on it, which is completely understandable. This affects his public career to be sure, but more importantly, it's a private matter for Hatton and his family.

"The Hitman" is, of course, notorious for taking it lax on his health between fights, earning the nickname "Ricky Fatton" for ballooning up in weight and then crashing back down to make 140 or 147 pounds. A lot of people have expressed concern about this over the years, because obviously it's really unhealthy to binge and then go bananas training and exercising for short bursts the way Hatton has done so many times. Even at his heaviest, it's not like Ricky Hatton is ever morbidly obese or anything; it's just the up and down of his health that has to be really taxing for his body.