Home | Sport | Boxing

Boxing

What next for Hatton?

RICKY Hatton's victories over Kostya Tszyu and Carlos Maussa have transformed him into one of the biggest names in his sport.

Hatton is now the number one target for rivals desperate to usurp him as the best 140lb fighter in the world and - as holder of the IBF and WBA titles - has half the gold in the division.

Fortunately for Hatton, the light-welterweight division is one of the strongest and most glamorous of all at the moment.

Ricky's already admitted he will have to look to America for the big fights - and a crusade to unify the WBC and WBO belts with his existing titles..

And with the enthusiastic backing of American pay-per-view network Showtime, Hatton is surely set for future super-fights on both sides of the Atlantic.

Here is a look at some of the most appetising options ahead for Manchester's unassuming 'Hit-Man':

ARTURO GATTI: Already being talked of as the next opponent for Hatton, the 'Thunder' was beaten by Floyd Mayweather for the WBC title in June 2005 - a match the Hitman was ringside for. Gatti has much to prove after being hammered by Mayweather, but the 33-year-old still carries a formidable record and reputation in the division.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER: Moody Mayweather is unbeaten in 33 fights and took Arturo Gatti's WBC belt off him in the summer. Strong and supremely talented, Mayweather would make the most lucrative unification option of all.

MIGUEL COTTO: The latest light-welterweight sensation Stateside, Cotto has been winning rave reviews for his searing style and knockout punch. Unbeaten in 23 fights and holder of the WBO title, Cotto versus Hatton could define the division for the years to come.

DIEGO CORRALES: Ringside at the Hatton v Tyszu fight, Corrales recently engaged in one of the greatest all-time bouts against Jose Luis Castillo to claim the WBC lightweight crown. A prospective war to end all wars with Hatton is the most mouthwatering of all.

Who would you like to see Hatton fight? Have your say.

Comments

Login or Register to comment

I would really interested to see Hatton - Cotto showdown in a non-hometown country, such as United States. Hatton's relentless and high frequency punches and Cotto's even more relentless and powerfully effective knockout punches will make the match enticing and all the fans around the world will still savor it for many years to come.

Report This Reply

i still cant believe tszyu lost. i hope there will be a rematch tszyu needs to lift to be a chance to get the title back. he may have lost the desire. i am glad that the title has gone to ricky, the guy is all class in and out of the ring. ricky should fight gatti(great fight) and will win.could clean up the division but keep away from mayweather.

Report This Reply

i would like to see a rematch between hatton and tszyu

Report This Reply

I would like Hatton to be a REAL man and step out of manchester and fight someone elsewhere, like las vegas or new york. Then we can really see if he can fight in some adversity, until then he would never get the true respect from the american boxing fans. I would love to see Hatton vs. Corrales in las vegas. I thought Tszyu was a washed up fighter.

Report This Reply

Many have challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr, none have beaten him. He's not the most likable chap to have come along, but he is the best fighter. I'd pay good money to watch Mayweather/Hatton.

Report This Reply

I would love to see Ricky fight either Floyd Mayweather or Diego Corrales next. I think Ricky is the only fighter that could end Mayweather's unbeaten record. Ricky-Diego could be great because it would be an all out brawal.

Report This Reply

Are all Americans thick or is it just the ones on this site? Hatton said he will fight State side and knock out anyone you put in front of him and he will still have his 22000 loyal fans taking over one of your little towns so it will just be like him fighting in Manchester! I am sure when Hatton fights in the States if it goes to points there will be an outrageous decision as per usual for the Yank to win!

Report This Reply

First of all great fight and congratulations on the win against Kostya ( Kostya we love you CHAMP) I would like to see Ricky fight Diego or Zab

Report This Reply

Ricky Hatton vs. Floyd Mayweather...Lets do it!!!!

Report This Reply

Ricky Hatton vs. Zab Judah with Floyd Mayweather fighting the winner

Report This Reply

Man this Ricky Hatton has to go. I am tired of all his fans talking this foolishness. I would like to see him fight Mayweather or Corales. Corales is a beast. Hatton is nothing more that a baby being protected by his fans. Bring him to the states so Corales can put them thangs on his behind.

Report This Reply

i had the fantastic honour of travelling to manchester to watch ricky fight against the great tszyu ive never seen ricky fight live before but have followed him on tv and now i would travel anywhere to see him again it was the best night out i have ever had so bring on any other fighter who thinks they are up to the challange us down here in essex believe hatton to be the best!

Report This Reply

I would like to see Ricky fight Kostya not wrestle and hold actually fight, box, punch etc. He would lose a rematch becasue Tszyu woiuld not allow himself to be put in that situatiuon again.

Report This Reply

Hatton is sensational - By far the best british fighter in years - We love his style and attitude to the sport - The division is very tough and hard though it was to get to the top, it will be even harder to stay there - If Hatton could beat Cotto and Mayweather he could probably see off the rest - These are the fights i want to see plus Hatton v Witter as a warm up fight - Witter couldnt live with Hatton and it would shut the Bradford bigmouth up which needs to happen - Please fix it Frank

Report This Reply

rickys the best figther ive seen in a long time. let him figth any one in hes way

Report This Reply

well all i can say is that if ricky has made 6million fighting has been,s and never was is, he,d be a mug to fight the like,s of cotto,mayweather,or corrlie,s as long and the punters in manchester allow thereselve,s to be conned ,they will get more of the same and will deserve all they get.

Report This Reply

First of all "HIT MAN" you are an awesome killer of a fighter. I have two matches I would like to see you in. Mayweather and then Cotto. Mayweather because of his speed. Then Cotto for his killer instinct tactics.

Report This Reply

FIRST OF ALL, HOW CAN YOU SAY I WISH HATTON WOULD FIGHT OUTSIDE ENGLAND SO HE CAN BE PROVED A BI GIRLS BLOUSE???? HAVE YOU ACTUALLY SEEN ANY INTERVIEW OR FIGHT WITH HIM - HE'LL BE AS UNFAZED FIGHTING A TRIBE OF ZULU WARRIOR'S AS HE WOULD FIGHTING ANY YANK! AND EVEN IF THATS THE CASE, WHY DON'T ANY YANKEE FIGHTERS FIGHT OUTSIDE THE USA??? I THINK IT'S MORE OF A MONEY THING AND YANKS ARE OBSESSED WITH "THE AMERICAN DREAM".

Report This Reply

floyd mayweather

Report This Reply

i dont think hatton should fight mayweather until a few years time because at this moment mayweather is indestructable.he should fight corrales after maussa because i think cotto or mayweather would be too risky a fight for him so soon after beating tszu

Report This Reply

the thought of hatton fighting Mayweather is totally obsurd!! Hatton is a slugger who imposes his will/punches on any1 who'll stand there and let him back them up. He is simular to the old Gatti and we all know what Floyd did to him. Floyd is faster, better on his feet, better defense, and stronger. Okay, lets say Hatton IS more powerful, its the punches you DONT see that hurt a fighter the most right? Hatton wont see ANY of Mayweathers' fast fist comming and floyd will deflect Hattons' with his great defensive skillz. Floyd will pick his shots and CRUSH hatton the same way he did Gatti.

Report This Reply

this isnt possible but it'd be the best ever fight between Ricky Hatton and.... Roberto Duran

Report This Reply

I really can't believe people STILL go on about Ricky being 'protected' or 'wrapped in cotton wool' or whatever. Ricky and his team have simply managed his career properly and what a great job they've done. He's probably the best fighter the UK has spawned since the super-heroes of the 80's, so don't knock them for making sure his journey to the top isn't rushed. They should carry on with this trend and look for Gatti next. Its the right time for this match-up. Sure, I'd love to see Ricky v Cotto and Mayweather (and I'd be there) but the Gatti fight is the best one for Ricky at this stage in his career. He knows he'll have to go to the States, and I think Gatti would provide a good balance of experience, exposure and excitement without jumping into the Lion's Den with the likes of Mayweather just yet.

Report This Reply

ricky should go for mayweather at madison square garden.ricky is the champ and he is unbeatable so he might as well go for it and take his wbc title whilst hes at it.COME ON RICKY

Report This Reply

Mayweather,aren't true greats the ones who fight all in their division, not take the easiest fight to get a belt, then move on to fight someone who ran from that division, Judah, after being knocked senseless by a class act, Tszyu.

Ricky Hatton should fight Cotto, great fight. Then let Mayweather beg to fight the winner.

Report This Reply