Ricky Hatton’s co-promoter Dennis Hobson laughed off US rival Bob Arum’s statements that the Hitman should steer clear of his two star charges, WBO junior welterweight Miguel Cotto and former lightweight king Jose Luis Castillo.
Arum told the international media on Tuesday: “I think Hatton has been exposed pretty much as being a relatively ordinary fighter based on his last fight (w pts 12 Luis Collazo, May 13). I don't think he is going to be ready to fight anybody real soon as long as he can grab HBO money to fight second rate fighters."
But Hobson insists Hatton, who is both the WBA welterweight champion and the legitimate, linear and universally recognised junior welterweight ruler, would be more than a match for both of Arum’s warriors.
“I understand Bob is just backing his own fighters,” Hobson began. “But it was a little naughty of him to imply that Ricky would be content to grab easy HBO money when that is the exact opposite of what the Hitman is all about. Every boxing fans knows Ricky doesn’t take a backward step in the ring - and he certainly doesn’t take a sideward step when it comes to agreeing to fight the best possible opposition.
“And that most definitely includes Miguel Cotto and Jose Luis Castillo.”
The Fight Academy co-director added: “Ricky has already gone on record as saying that he’d love to fight the winner of Castillo v Diego Corrales (who meet for the third time Saturday week). Ricky and I will be ringside for that fight and we think we can do business with the winner. Ricky v Castillo or Corrales would be the fight of the year, any year, I’d bet vital parts of
my anatomy on it!”
Should both men win their upcoming fights, Arum is planning on matching Cotto and Castillo against each other in November.
Hobson said: “I also understand that Bob Arum would rather have two horses in the race rather than one, especially when I have the best thoroughbred in any boxing stable, but let’s be realistic Castillo - or Corrales if he wins - v Ricky is a bigger fight than Castillo or Corrales v Cotto.
“With the greatest respect to Cotto, he isn’t in Ricky’s league in terms of international recognition. Ricky is a three-time, two division world champion, a Ring magazine champion and the winner of every Fighter of the Year Award going.
“But Cotto is yet to win a genuine world bellt. He’s still in the kiddie pool with waterwings on. He’s at WBO title level and is struggling to keep hold of that. Arum can‘t possibly be serious when he says that Ricky has anything to fear from Cotto.”
