By Mark Vester
WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao appeared on the DZBB radio show in Manila on Monday, and said that he might move up to junior welterweight to face Ricky Hatton in his very next fight.
"It is possible I will face Hatton next," said Pacquiao when asked the chances of a Hatton fight taking place in November.
While Top Rank, who handle Pacquiao, and Golden Boy Promotions, who handle Hatton, want the fight to take place, most sources indicate the fight won't happen unless IBF junior welterweight champ Paulie Malignaggi takes a sizable step aside fee. Malignaggi has a deal in place to face Hatton in November and probably won't budge unless a decent six-figure sum is given to him - and even then he might want a guaranteed shot at the winner.
Top Rank head Bob Arum has denied that a Pacquiao-Hatton fight will move in November, he wants to close a deal to secure WBA super featherweight champ Edwin Valero for November, in either Texas or Las Vegas if Valero receives medical clearance.
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