GERMANY'S Oktay Urkal could be the next man to stand in Ricky Hatton's path.

A mooted clash with the winner of the Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales contest looks to have fallen through after their third fight was called off after Castillo failed to make the weight.

Urkal is the mandatory challenger for the WBA welterweight title Hatton won in defeating Luis Collazo in Boston last month.

Hatton had been expected to step back down to the light-welterweight division after beating Collazo, but it is understood an agreement is in place for him to face Urkal, the current European champion at 147lb.

However, he has fought former WBA light-welterweight champion Vivian Harris twice, as well as Kostya Tszyu, the former undisputed champion at 140lbs who was dethroned by Hatton last year.

"We have an agreement to fight Oktay Urkal, who is the mandatory contender for Ricky's WBA welterweight belt," promoter Dennis Hobson told BBC Sport.

"We're not waiting about for court cases and suspensions.

"We spoke to (promoter) Bob Arum and he's trying to resolve the issues with Castillo but we want a quick solution," said Hobson.

"Maybe they'll suspend him or they may just let him fight at light welterweight.

"But Urkal's on the table and Ricky wants to get along with his career.

"We laid foundations and had talks, and the hotels and casinos are hot to trot with regards future fights," said Hobson.

"And a big plus was to see how popular Ricky is - people were clamouring for him."

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