By Rick Reeno
Across the ocean, the rumors are spreading hot and heavy like a forest fire. According to several UK media outlets, there are circulating rumors that former two division world champion Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32KOs) is considering a comeback - and he wants to target WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi (31-4, 7KOs).
Hatton, 33-years-old, has been in active since the brutal two round knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao in May of 2009. Several UK journalists have told BoxingScene.com that Hatton has been training and appears to be losing weight.
Hatton himself has not confirmed the return or made any comments regarding the rumors.
Prior to the loss to Pacquiao, Hatton stopped Malignaggi in the eleventh round of an IBO 140-pound title match in November of 2008.
As the Hatton rumors continue to explode, Malignaggi has already been contacted by every major news outlet in the UK.
The talkative New Yorker advised BoxingScene that he's been dreaming of securing the opportunity to avenge the Hatton loss.
"I'm hearing that Ricky Hatton is interested in a comeback and I'm hearing rumors that I'm the target of that comeback. I've had three rematches in my career and I'm 3-0 in those rematches. In our fight, he did very well. I'd like to think that are a lot of things that I could have done [better] and I'd like to think that I've made a lot of changes on my team that have really, really brought out the best in me," Malignaggi told BoxingScene.com
"It's loss that I've had to live with. It's a loss that hindered me and every day I think about that loss and it bothers me. It's unfortunate because I should have done much better but it was what it was. The rematch is something that interests me. I have nothing but respect for Ricky, his fans and his family. They were nothing but respectful to me during the entire promotion and I expect nothing less in the rematch. I know that he wants to come back and win a title to reclaim old glory but it's my time now and I know that I can beat Ricky Hatton."