By Mark Vester

The Manchester Evening News reports that Wembley Stadium has made a very big financial bid for Ricky Hatton's next fight. Hatton is currently in talks to return in hometown on May 24 at Manchester City's Eastlands. Officials for Wembley have made a serious counter-offer to stage Hatton's return on May 31.

The bout will be Hatton's first since suffering his first loss, by knockout, to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last December in Las Vegas. Wembley officials told the Hatton camp that their venue can accommodate 20,000 more fans than Eastlands, in addition to being able to sell 10,000 lucrative corporate tickets for executive boxes.

An insider within the Hatton camp told the paper that Ricky has his heart set on fighting at Eastlands in Manchester City.

"Wembley has made a pitch, but Ricky has set his heart on Eastlands. If it was about money we'd be going back to America and Vegas or Madison Square Garden in New York. But it's not," the Hatton insider said.

It's expected that Hatton's next fight will be televised live by HBO, but the paper says that Hatton turned down a $1 million dollar offer to fight during the early hours (UK time), making it possible for the fight to be televised live in America. It's expected that HBO will televise the fight live in the afternoon and show a replay in the evening.

"He wants to reward his fans by fighting in England, preferably here in Manchester in English time, so maybe a father can take his children along and not have to stay up until the early hours," the Hatton insider said.

No opponent will be announced until the venue and date are finalized.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com