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Purely my own speculation but here's my reasoning:
1) Ricky is yet to announce his retirement despite strong rumours. He wanted to fight in the summer but against JMM, but JMM decided to fight Khan (that fight never came off) now it looks like he's going back to lightweight. But Ricky's still working out in the gym (although it doesn't show!), but for what. Well, if a prospective fight in the fall against Khan is on the cards then he's got time to shed weight before hitting training. If there was nothing out there for Ricky I think he'd retire and focus on BrandHatton. But I think a fight with Amir is on the horizon, another mammoth payday.
2) Ricky's never denied that a fight with Khan could happen, and right now, it's probably Hatton's biggest fight....or only realistic fight which will give him the money he wants. So if he's staying in the sport then ultimately this is the fight he should probably want, if he's back for another payday, which he is. The choice is simple for Ricky. Retire and not make a few more million for one nights work or come back for one more night and make a few more million.
3) They are both under GBP, so getting the fight made would be no problem. I think this is one of the reasons Khan joined GBP. I think they might have told him that he'd get the Hatton fight (which Khan and Roach really want) a fight which could not have been made if he stayed with Frank Warren.
4) GBP would love this fight for Khan and I think a Hatton fight was always their immediate goal with Khan. Hence the ducking of Maidana and sign him up to beat a decent name in Paulie with adds more credence to Khan as a bigger star than Ricky, and if he does it better than Ricky then that will all add to the hype for the fight. And GBP are in a win-win situation here. I think they might have accepted Khan isn't going to rule the division hence why they've wrapped him in cotton wool and not put him against a puncher. They're protecting him for this huge money spinner, in which for GBP to result doesn't matter one bit. If Khan wins, that's the passing of the torch and the hype machine goes on they can matchmake Khan further and Hatton wanted one more fight for a payday and got it. But if Hatton wins "HATTON'S BACK!", that's worth a shítload to GBP, that will get Hatton who'll be a 140 World Champion v Bradley or Alexander, but by then one of them will have established themselves as the big 140 name. So GBP get another big fight, it doesn't matter who it is, Khan or Hatton. So they don't lose out on the deal. They'll have the biggest British boxer (name wise) under their promotion after that fight, regardless of who it is. But right now, the biggest money fight for Khan and Hatton is against each other. Khan v Bradley/Alexander or Maidana appear to be higher risk, for lower reward. A fight with a year and a half "Who everyone thinks is shot" Hatton, for double the money. It's a no brainer.
5) The fight itself would be mammoth over here. I know there's talk of Wembley, but equally, getting 40,000 in either Eastland or the Reebok would be great, as well as the worldwide coverage. It would be one of the biggest British world title fight clashes ever. The fight spills money left, right and centre.
Like I said, it's pure speculation on my behalf, but the pieces fit. GBP signing Khan for a prospective fight with Hatton just makes too much sense and Khan's eagerness to leave Warren, I'm not sure there's too many things that would have got him to leave Frank, sure GBP probably offered him more money but a fight with Hatton wouldn't have made Amir think twice.
That said, Khan still has to get past Paulie....should the Paulie beat Khan, well then you're set for Paulie v Hatton 2, not as big as Khan v Hatton. But Hatton's comeback will always be a big fight monetary wise.
Basically I'm calling it now, assuming Khan gets past Paulie then Khan v Hatton is GBP's ambition for later on in the year.
1) Ricky is yet to announce his retirement despite strong rumours. He wanted to fight in the summer but against JMM, but JMM decided to fight Khan (that fight never came off) now it looks like he's going back to lightweight. But Ricky's still working out in the gym (although it doesn't show!), but for what. Well, if a prospective fight in the fall against Khan is on the cards then he's got time to shed weight before hitting training. If there was nothing out there for Ricky I think he'd retire and focus on BrandHatton. But I think a fight with Amir is on the horizon, another mammoth payday.
2) Ricky's never denied that a fight with Khan could happen, and right now, it's probably Hatton's biggest fight....or only realistic fight which will give him the money he wants. So if he's staying in the sport then ultimately this is the fight he should probably want, if he's back for another payday, which he is. The choice is simple for Ricky. Retire and not make a few more million for one nights work or come back for one more night and make a few more million.
3) They are both under GBP, so getting the fight made would be no problem. I think this is one of the reasons Khan joined GBP. I think they might have told him that he'd get the Hatton fight (which Khan and Roach really want) a fight which could not have been made if he stayed with Frank Warren.
4) GBP would love this fight for Khan and I think a Hatton fight was always their immediate goal with Khan. Hence the ducking of Maidana and sign him up to beat a decent name in Paulie with adds more credence to Khan as a bigger star than Ricky, and if he does it better than Ricky then that will all add to the hype for the fight. And GBP are in a win-win situation here. I think they might have accepted Khan isn't going to rule the division hence why they've wrapped him in cotton wool and not put him against a puncher. They're protecting him for this huge money spinner, in which for GBP to result doesn't matter one bit. If Khan wins, that's the passing of the torch and the hype machine goes on they can matchmake Khan further and Hatton wanted one more fight for a payday and got it. But if Hatton wins "HATTON'S BACK!", that's worth a shítload to GBP, that will get Hatton who'll be a 140 World Champion v Bradley or Alexander, but by then one of them will have established themselves as the big 140 name. So GBP get another big fight, it doesn't matter who it is, Khan or Hatton. So they don't lose out on the deal. They'll have the biggest British boxer (name wise) under their promotion after that fight, regardless of who it is. But right now, the biggest money fight for Khan and Hatton is against each other. Khan v Bradley/Alexander or Maidana appear to be higher risk, for lower reward. A fight with a year and a half "Who everyone thinks is shot" Hatton, for double the money. It's a no brainer.
5) The fight itself would be mammoth over here. I know there's talk of Wembley, but equally, getting 40,000 in either Eastland or the Reebok would be great, as well as the worldwide coverage. It would be one of the biggest British world title fight clashes ever. The fight spills money left, right and centre.
Like I said, it's pure speculation on my behalf, but the pieces fit. GBP signing Khan for a prospective fight with Hatton just makes too much sense and Khan's eagerness to leave Warren, I'm not sure there's too many things that would have got him to leave Frank, sure GBP probably offered him more money but a fight with Hatton wouldn't have made Amir think twice.
That said, Khan still has to get past Paulie....should the Paulie beat Khan, well then you're set for Paulie v Hatton 2, not as big as Khan v Hatton. But Hatton's comeback will always be a big fight monetary wise.
Basically I'm calling it now, assuming Khan gets past Paulie then Khan v Hatton is GBP's ambition for later on in the year.
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