By Mark Vester
The UK's Daily Record reports that Ricky Hatton and Jose Luis Castillo will fight in seperate bouts on January 13, 2007, as part of a televised HBO event to set up their bout in the Spring.
Ricky Hatton moves back down to 140 pounds to meet Juan Urango for his IBF junior welterweight title. Jose Luis Castillo will make his debut at the 140-pound weight division against an unamed opponent. Should both win, Hatton says that his bout with Castillo is already a done deal.
"I'll be fighting Urango on January 13 which is a little bit of a disappointment because I was hoping to fight in October or November but that's the only date HBO had available. On the undercard will be Castillo. Should I get past Urango they're lining up Castillo for me," Hatton said.
Hatton's UK rival, Junior Witter, has been calling him out every day in press since his unanimous points win over DeMarcus Corley for the WBC junior welterweight title last Friday. Hatton says that he is willing to face Witter, but he already has two fights scheduled and Witter has to wait until those fights are done.
"It's a fight Junior and I have always wanted. The feedback I've had from his bout on Friday was that it was dull. It depends whether it has impressed HBO. I'm contracted to HBO for my next two fights and they're practically done deals now. I don't see why a little bit further down the line that if Junior makes a couple of defences I can fight him. If Junior can hold on to his belt and make a few defences the fight against me will be even bigger," Hatton said.