JUNIOR Witter refuses to give up on a dream clash with Ricky Hatton - insisting it would be a bigger fight than Benn v Eubank.

The WBC light welterweight champion has reiterated his desire to meet the Hitman - and is convinced it is the fight Britain wants to see.

Hatton announced last week that he will return to the ring May 24, with the City of Manchester Stadium his preferred venue.

And while he is yet to reveal who his first opponent will be since losing to Floyd Mayweather in December, it will not be Witter. That is a huge disappointment to the Bradford fighter, who sees it as potentially the greatest rivalry in British boxing history.

"There's no bigger fight," he said. "It would be bigger than Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank.

"Boxing is not as big as it was then, but the interest a fight between me and Ricky would generate would be massive. It's been building for ten years."

The City of Manchester Stadium would have been an ideal location for an all-British contest, but Witter will have to wait for his chance to meet Hatton.

Witter - currently preparing to defend his title against Demetrius Hopkins in March - is adamant that he would have met Hatton two months later if a fight could have been arranged.

Angered

"It could've happened if he wanted it to," he said. "It is a fight that definitely should take place.

"You either step up or run away. The fans want it and so do the boxing public.

"He is a hell of a fighter, but if you want to be the best you have to beat the best that's out there. Mayweather has done that throughout his career and that's why he's the best."

Hatton's camp has been angered by Witter's attempts to force a fight through the media - and his latest comments are unlikely to be well-received.

And while Hatton says he has "unfinished business" with the 33-year-old, there remain doubts as to whether the fight would generate enough global interest.

Hatton's camp also reacted angrily to suggestions that Witter is simply mimicking the Hitman's own tactics in prompting a fight with Mayweather.

His father, Ray, said: "Ricky only criticised Mayweather once the fight was announced. It is not as if he was baiting him constantly over many years, so there is no comparison between the two."

IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignacci would be the most attractive prospect for Hatton - and one that would draw in a massive pay per view audience.

But any bout is unlikely to take place until later in the year, with WBO light welterweight champion Ricardo Torres a more realistic opponent for his next fight.

Who should Ricky fight next? Have your say.