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TSZYU TARGETS HATTON
SportingLife UK, Oct 28, 2004
World light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu is willing to fight Ricky Hatton - if the American public want it to happen.
Tszyu, a Russian-born Australian citizen, takes on Sharmba Mitchell next month with his IBF belt on the line.
And as Hatton continues his battle to secure a shot at a genuine world champion, 35-year-old Tszyu admitted he would take on the 'Hitman' but much would depend on whether American TV station Showtime wanted to stage the contest.
"Ricky Hatton is a good fighter, a very exciting fighter, with big popularity in his homeland," Tszyu told www.thesweetscience.com.
"I will look at it this way - what people want, what people demand, that is what will make it. If Showtime is going to be happy - because they have to play a big role in this - then we will make the fights happen.
"He is a young fighter with tremendous pressure. I am not looking past one fight at a time. If it is going to happen, and he is going to be the number one contender for my IBF title, then we will see. If everything goes well, then we will fight and we will see."
Hatton has made no secret of his desire to take on a 'big name' and is confident that when the opportunity arises, he will grasp it with both hands.
But Tszyu, who faces Mitchell on November 6 in the States - his first fight since beating James Leija in January 2003 - is not bothered by Hatton's self-confidence.
"I am sure Ricky wants to fight, but it is not his problem. His promoter (Frank Warren) has done a good job for him to try to get the money for himself because he is always packing the stadium in Manchester without fighting anybody (reputable)."
Hatton, meanwhile, is back in action before the end of the year when he makes the 15th defence of his WBU title against Ray Oliveira on December 11, at the Excel Arena in London.
The Briton knocked out the durable Mike Stewart in the fifth round at the MEN Arena earlier this month and providing there are no slip-ups, will hope to face the winner of Tszyu-Mitchell.
That would be nice. I think Mitchell is going to be on the downside of this fight...or atleast I hope so. Gooooooo Kostya!!
SportingLife UK, Oct 28, 2004
World light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu is willing to fight Ricky Hatton - if the American public want it to happen.
Tszyu, a Russian-born Australian citizen, takes on Sharmba Mitchell next month with his IBF belt on the line.
And as Hatton continues his battle to secure a shot at a genuine world champion, 35-year-old Tszyu admitted he would take on the 'Hitman' but much would depend on whether American TV station Showtime wanted to stage the contest.
"Ricky Hatton is a good fighter, a very exciting fighter, with big popularity in his homeland," Tszyu told www.thesweetscience.com.
"I will look at it this way - what people want, what people demand, that is what will make it. If Showtime is going to be happy - because they have to play a big role in this - then we will make the fights happen.
"He is a young fighter with tremendous pressure. I am not looking past one fight at a time. If it is going to happen, and he is going to be the number one contender for my IBF title, then we will see. If everything goes well, then we will fight and we will see."
Hatton has made no secret of his desire to take on a 'big name' and is confident that when the opportunity arises, he will grasp it with both hands.
But Tszyu, who faces Mitchell on November 6 in the States - his first fight since beating James Leija in January 2003 - is not bothered by Hatton's self-confidence.
"I am sure Ricky wants to fight, but it is not his problem. His promoter (Frank Warren) has done a good job for him to try to get the money for himself because he is always packing the stadium in Manchester without fighting anybody (reputable)."
Hatton, meanwhile, is back in action before the end of the year when he makes the 15th defence of his WBU title against Ray Oliveira on December 11, at the Excel Arena in London.
The Briton knocked out the durable Mike Stewart in the fifth round at the MEN Arena earlier this month and providing there are no slip-ups, will hope to face the winner of Tszyu-Mitchell.
That would be nice. I think Mitchell is going to be on the downside of this fight...or atleast I hope so. Gooooooo Kostya!!
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