JUAN Lazcano, nicknamed the Hispanic Causing Panic, is likely to be Ricky Hatton's next opponent.

The 32-year-old Mexican American (left) has emerged as the favourite to face the Hitman when he drops back to light-welterweight for the bout, which will probably be at the City of Manchester Stadium, on May 24.

Texas-born Lazcano, who lives in California, has won 37 of his 42 fights, having lost four and drawn once.

But he has not fought since he lost a close but unanimous points decision to Vivian Harris in an eliminator for the WBC light-welterweight title in Las Vegas last February. The Hatton camp had Lazcano lined up two years ago but he broke his hand a month before the fight and Hatton had to switch opponents to Luis Collazo.

Hatton, who went on to pull off a unanimous victory over Collazo in Boston, has vowed his next fight will be in Britain as a reward to his fans who have repeatedly had to travel to America.

More negotiations are planned with Manchester City officials this weekend although, as revealed by M.E.N. Sport earlier this week, Wembley made what seems like an unsuccessful 11th-hour bid to woo him south.

M.E.N. Sport believes that when Lazcano had to pull out from fighting Hatton in 2006 through injury, there was a gentleman's agreement that the fight would take place eventually - and that unofficial agreement has helped the two sides in the latest round of negotiations.

Wembley officials, who have confirmed they did want to host Hatton's next fight, accept City of Manchester Stadium is the much more likely venue as Hatton is a huge Blues supporter. But a Wembley spokesman said they would still be interested in hosting a future Hatton fight.

Hatton is back in his Denton gym after holidays in the Canaries and on safari in South Africa following his first career defeat against Floyd Mayweather.

No formal announcement will be made about whether it is to be Hatton-Lazcano until negotiations are completed over the venue, which includes talks with police, and agreement is reached with US and British TV companies.

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