By Phil D. Jay

Undefeated Canadian Phil Lo Greco has announced his availability for a November outing in Manchester against Ricky Hatton following Paulie Malignaggi’s recent recommendation to WBN.

Malignaggi put friend Lo Greco’s name forward when quizzed by World Boxing News yesterday and the Toronto fighter is more than ready to face the ‘Hitman’ should the call come for the Manchester Arena contest.

“It makes sense because he wants to fight a ranked fighter in order for him to get to Paulie,” Lo Greco told World Boxing News.

“My last fight in Vegas was aired on Sky in the UK so the British public have seen me already, but I'm not sure if Hatton wants to fight an undefeated fighter right off the bat.”

28 year-old Lo Greco is undefeated so far in 24 contests with 13 stoppages and blasted out Brandon Hoskins within 90 seconds in his last outing at the Mandalay Bay on the Garcia v Khan undercard.

Hatton, 33, is believed to be just one fight away from facing Malignaggi for his WBA title, although Lo Greco has no qualms in putting a stop to the contest by upsetting the Briton on his home soil.

“If I could get that fight I would put an end to Paulie fighting Hatton because it's my time to shine now.”

Many believe that Hatton should have stayed retired following a devastating stoppage loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2009, but Lo Greco disagrees and says the ‘Hitman’ deserves another chance to redeem himself.

“Hatton as every right to return,” he said. “He is in his early thirties so why not. I have seen some videos of his press conference and he looks in great shape, good for him.

“He was trying to bully Pacquiao in his last fight, thinking his size would make a difference but it was the wrong gameplan and he got caught cold.”

Lo Greco, who is ranked number 12 by both the WBA and WBC, is now ready to take that next step in his career and sees a high-profile clash with Hatton as the perfect tonic to kick-start his career.

“I have had countless of amateur fights all over the world and fought in Europe as a pro so I'm used to high pressure fights, but I would deliver a real thriller fighting him in Manchester.

“I hope to get the shot that I deserve and a chance at stardom, but until then, I am just going to keep on winning and sooner or later it will come.”

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net