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Hatton wants Pacquiao followed by Mayweather rematch
Ricky Hatton says he wants to take on pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao next year before a possible rematch against Floyd Mayweather Junior.
The Manchester fighter says if he succeeds in securing those fights then he will retire from the sport as he would have nothing else left to achieve.
Hatton's only loss in his career came against Mayweather last year in Las Vegas but a win over Pauli Malignaggi has put him back in contention for more super fights.
Pacquiao recently beat Oscar de la Hoya at welterweight, two weights above his natural lightweight, and a showdown with Hatton at light-welterweight could be a natural bout for both men.
The Filipino fighter has been rated as the pound-for-pound champion since Mayweather retired and Hatton says he wants to face Pacquiao as he is currently rated as the best before revisiting the Mayweather rivalry.
Hatton told Sky Sports news: "I'd prefer to fight Manny Pacquiao, and that's not dodging Floyd, it's just that Pacquiao is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
"If I can beat Manny and become the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world then Floyd would be next."
Hatton feels he is getting back to his best since hiring Floyd Mayweather Senior to become his trainer but feels he would be able to retire at the top if he could beat Pacquiao and Mayweather.
The 30-year-old said: "2009 could be my last year, you don't hang up the gloves when you are performing like I am, but if I beat Pacquiao and become the best pound-for-pound fighter, then get a rematch with Floyd and set the record straight, then I'd have to look at myself and where I am and what I'd like to do next."
The Manchester fighter says if he succeeds in securing those fights then he will retire from the sport as he would have nothing else left to achieve.
Hatton's only loss in his career came against Mayweather last year in Las Vegas but a win over Pauli Malignaggi has put him back in contention for more super fights.
Pacquiao recently beat Oscar de la Hoya at welterweight, two weights above his natural lightweight, and a showdown with Hatton at light-welterweight could be a natural bout for both men.
The Filipino fighter has been rated as the pound-for-pound champion since Mayweather retired and Hatton says he wants to face Pacquiao as he is currently rated as the best before revisiting the Mayweather rivalry.
Hatton told Sky Sports news: "I'd prefer to fight Manny Pacquiao, and that's not dodging Floyd, it's just that Pacquiao is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
"If I can beat Manny and become the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world then Floyd would be next."
Hatton feels he is getting back to his best since hiring Floyd Mayweather Senior to become his trainer but feels he would be able to retire at the top if he could beat Pacquiao and Mayweather.
The 30-year-old said: "2009 could be my last year, you don't hang up the gloves when you are performing like I am, but if I beat Pacquiao and become the best pound-for-pound fighter, then get a rematch with Floyd and set the record straight, then I'd have to look at myself and where I am and what I'd like to do next."
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