SHEFFIELD, England (AP) - IBF junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton of England lined up a unification bout against WBA champ Carlos Maussa of Colombia on Nov. 26.
Hatton, who took the title from Kostya Tszyu on June 4 in Manchester, announced a deal Monday to fight Maussa in the 140-pound bout at Sheffield Arena.
Hatton, however, faces an obstacle in promoter Frank Warren. Warren promoted Hatton for his first 39 professional fights and contends he has an agreement with him for another three bouts. He is seeking an injunction to stop Hatton from fighting for another promoter.
Hatton and his camp acknowledge an agreement with Warren but contend they are free to work with someone else. Dennis Hobson is promoting the Maussa fight.
"What is happening is not ideal," Hatton said. "Sometimes nothing goes smoothly in the preparation for fights, and that is when you have to show what kind of champion you are and deal with whatever is put in front of you. This is just another obstacle, and if it does go to court then I will be as equally determined to overcome it."
Maussa, 19-2, knocked out WBA champion Vivian Harris in the seventh round on June 25 in Atlantic City, N.J. That fight that ended with Maussa hitting Harris while he was sprawled on the canvas. The referee termed the hit "insignificant."
