JOSE Luis Castillo has stoked the fires ahead of his summertime showdown with Ricky Hatton - by declaring he is a Manchester United fan!

The Mexican ace has asked the Hitman's promoter Dennis Hobson to fix him up with tickets to watch the Reds play at Old Trafford later this month, during a flying visit to the country to start the build-up to their Las Vegas clash, which will be on June 2 or 23.

And that is sure to give City nut Hatton another reason for wanting to beat the man currently ranked number two behind him in the light-welterweight division.

Castillo made the overtures to Hobson about coming to Old Trafford during meetings to discuss the "super-fight" held while both boxers were appearing, and winning, on last week's Vegas bill.

Hobson says the Castillo fight is set in stone, barring injury, with only the date to be sorted out, and that the publicity for the fight will begin when Castillo flies in later this month.

"He wants to watch United, so we said if he came over we would fix him up with tickets," said Hobson.

"Apparently it's his eldest son Jose Luis junior who is the United supporter, and his dad has got an interest through him. It all adds to the rivalry, as if we needed any more."

Talk of Junior Witter being back on Hatton's agenda has been dismissed by the Hyde star's promoters, who have declared that the garrulous WBC champion from Bradford would "run" from the Hitman as he did when he fought Zab Judah seven years ago.

Witter clumsily tried to goad Hatton for the umpteenth time recently, calling him a "coward" for ignoring his challenges to fight - a taboo word to use about a fellow boxer.

"I would never dismiss a fight with Witter sometime in the future, but Junior doesn't help himself with some of the stupid comments he comes out with," said Hobson who, like Witter, is based in Sheffield.

"I know Junior, and he and his camp are crazy the way they come out with these comments. All they manage to do is antagonise everyone.

"The fact is that Ricky doesn't need Junior, but Junior needs Ricky - and has done throughout his career - and doesn't do himself any favours.

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"He will just make sure that the door is slammed in his face, and it is getting boring.

"He is just trying to hitch a ride, even though he is a world champion. But you don't just have to be a world champion, and he knows that because he doesn't entertain, the only way people will come to his party is if Ricky is there.

"At some stage we would have looked at Witter, but that is fading away because of his antics, and because of his performances as well.

"If Junior had been setting the world alight, it would be a great fight to see, but he hasn't.

"All that would happen is that Junior would run, as soon as Ricky stood on his toes and gives him one or two. He wouldn't fancy it at all, and would go back to sword-fencing."

With just six months to go before the return to Vegas and a move to the much bigger, more famous Thomas and Mack Center, Hobson has had talks with Hatton about his lifestyle between fights.

Hatton appears intent on taking his traditional family cruise, but has vowed to trainer Billy Graham that he will be taking it much easier on the booze and food than he normally does once he is out of the gym.

"He has even promised he will be going in the gym on board the ship," said Hobson.

"I know some people have criticised Ricky's performance against Juan Urango, but it was almost a complete shut-out against an undefeated world champion.

"The trouble is that people have come to expect Ricky to stop opponents, but he is now fighting at a higher level than he was when he defended his WBU belt.

"I don't think you will see Ricky balloon in weight this time, because the Castillo fight isn't such a long way off. Against Urango he was coming down a weight and had such a long time off after his last fight.

"This time he will come back off his cruise and straight back in the gym - he even says he will use the gym on board the ship.

"I think the penny is dropping a bit but Ricky still likes to play hard as well as train hard. It's about balance, and if he can just adjust that balance a little bit he will be fine."

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