By Mark Vester
According to a report in Telegraph Sport, Ricky Hatton is in the process of setting up a joint venture with Oscar De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions to develop British fighters. Hatton's vision is to turn his own promotional company, Punch Promotions, into Uk arm of Golden Boy. He wants to sign and develop UK-based talent, and then use his connection with Golden Boy to further develop them in the United States.
The ironic thing is that Hatton, promoted by Golden Boy, could end fighting his business partner and promoter, De La Hoya, at some point in 2009. Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy, has already said that if Hatton beats Paulie Malignaggi on Nov. 22 and De La Hoya rolls past Manny Pacquiao on Dec. 6, the two fighters are likely to fight each other.
“These are exciting times. We’re setting up a stand-alone company which will be a joint enterprise, and we’ll look to sign the best of British talent. We’ve already spoken to several of the British fighters who went to the Olympic Games, and we’ll reveal names once we’ve sat down and signed things properly," Gareth Williams, Hatton’s lawyer, told the paper.
“Some of the biggest fights in the world are being brokered by Golden Boy at the moment, and with their company wishing to have a European branch, we see ourselves as a ‘good fit’ with them. We’re looking at the highest level of boxing promotion possible.”
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