By Mark Vester

It appears that Ricky Hatton will actively pursue a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for 2009. Hatton moved up to welterweight division last December and suffered the first loss of his career after being stopped by Mayweather in the tenth-round of their bout in Las Vegas. Following the loss, Hatton announced that he would move back down to 140-pounds.

Several weeks ago, Hatton said that he was interested in a Mayweather rematch, but few thought he was serious. The point of a rematch is up for debate. After ten-rounds, Hatton only won a single-round on two of the official scorecards and two-rounds on the third. The rematch would take place next spring at Wembley Stadium in the UK, and Hatton is hoping to pack in 100,000 fans.

Hatton told the Belfast Telegraph that he will be ready for a Mayweather rematch in only two-fights. The first is a bout against Juan Lazcano on May 24 in Manchester. The second bout would come against IBF 140-pound champion Paulie Malignaggi in October at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Malignaggi meets Lovemore N'dou in a rematch on Hatton's May undercard. They would both have to win for the October bout to happen. Mayweather is scheduled to face Oscar De La Hoya in a September rematch. Mayweather would have to beat De La Hoya to keep the Hatton rematch on schedule, but De La Hoya must first beat Steve Forbes on May 3 to even position himself for the Mayweather rematch.

"I would like a rematch and I know that Floyd is interested," Hatton said. "It's a fight that would attract a big crowd and it's something that I really want. I know that I have to prove myself in my next two fights and I'm sure that in about a year's time, a rematch with Mayweather can be made.

"The referee Joe Cortez is one of the best in the world, but he had a terrible night and he warned me about everything. He ruined my rhythm and I need rhythm. I got my tactics right in the first six rounds, but after that I was a bit eager but I'm amazed how many experts have said I got it wrong."

Golden Boy Promotions CEO, Richard Schaefer, has been in talks with Mayweather's manager and Floyd is interested in making the fight happen.

"I've spoken to Floyd's manager Al Haymon and he has confirmed that Floyd is interested in another fight with Ricky,"  Schaeffer said. "This fight could happen and I think Ricky has a good chance."

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com