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Ricky's American Dream
(By James Robson)
February 27, 2008
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SPECULATION over Ricky Hatton's future will be put to bed in the coming weeks when he puts pen to paper on a three-fight deal with American pay-per-view giants HBO.
"He still wants to prove himself over there," said the Hitman's father and manager, Ray.
"Some people have said the Americans aren't interested, but HBO want him to sign a multi-fight deal."
They are not the only ones who want to be in the Hatton business, with Wembley eager to have the biggest draw in British boxing perform beneath the arch.
That is unlikely to be in May, when the Hyde-based Ring and IBO light-welterweight champion is expected to opt for an emotional homecoming at the City of Manchester Stadium for his return to the ring against Juan Lazcano.
Wembley, however, remains very much in Hatton's plans, depending on how it can work alongside the HBO contract.
But whether in Manchester, London, Las Vegas or New York, it is clear the 29-year-old has no imminent plans to retire, despite his defeat by Floyd Mayweather last December.
Rather, Hatton is determined to cement his place as the world's finest light-welterweight and one of the greatest in the history of the sport by taking on the biggest names in the division.
That could mean a potential Madison Square Garden fight against IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi, with whom Hatton's camp are in advanced talks to feature on the undercard of the Lazcano fight.
"The next fight has got to be in America and HBO want us to fight an American," said Ray. "Whoever we get on the under card, will be his next opponent in America. We are well down the road with Malignaggi at this moment."
That is bad news for WBC champion Junior Witter, who has so publicly tried to force a fight with the Hitman.
And while Hatton refuses to dismiss an all-British encounter, he remains furious at Witter's media campaign to pressure him into a bout.
Most recently the Bradford fighter offered to take just 30 percent of any potential purse - but Hatton's camp insist that even on those terms, he is still pricing himself out of the biggest fight of his career.
"We offered Junior Witter his highest purse he'd ever had," said Ray of previous negotiations with the 33-year-old.
"If someone offered Ricky that, I'd be insulted. But as far as Junior Witter was concerned, it was his biggest purse.
"It is unfortunate, but you are getting a fighter who has not captured the public's imagination. Most others would say they could live with what we offered. He can't say this, that and the other and then refuse the offer.
"We've taken that back now. It's gone. Now he wants 30 percent of everything that comes with a Ricky Hatton fight?"
The selection of Lazcano was a combination of honouring a previous agreement, as well as taking on one of the top contenders in the IBO rankings.
Though Witter is first in line, ranked number two, his fight with Demetrius Hopkins next month, rules him out of another so soon after in May.
Hatton beat number-three ranked Jose Luis Castillo last June, leaving 32-year-old Texan, Lazcano in the frame.
The pair were supposed to meet two years ago, only for California-based Lazcano to break his hand. He has won 37 of his 42 fights, including 27 knockouts.
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