By Mark Vester
The proposed fall about between Ricky Hatton and IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi is set to receive a big money offer from Las Vegas to lure the fight away from New York's Madison Square Garden.
Hatton and Malignaggi return in separate bouts on May 24 in Manchester to set up the fall encounter. Hatton will face Juan Lazcano in the main event while Malignaggi defends his title in a rematch with Lovemore Ndou. In the past, Hatton said fighting in MSG is a dream that he wants to achieve before retirement, and Malignaggi, who is from New York, has a strong fanbase in the state.
Ray Hatton, Ricky's father, told the Manchester Evening News that he plans to review any offers received and if the Vegas offer is high enough, the head may have to overrule the heart.
"Vegas consider him one of the top six most exciting fighters in the world," said Ray. "They are putting massive numbers together to try to get him back there. They wanted his fight with Juan Lazcano to be there but Ricky wanted to fight in Manchester. There comes a point where you can't keep going with the heart. Ricky asked for this one to be in Manchester and we went with it. This one was never about the money but you can't keep doing that."
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