Hatton Officially Wants Mayweather As Early As April!!

[EXIGE]

Ricky Hatton is willing to spurn easier options and go straight into another career-defining contest with WBC light-welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather.

Mayweather saw a proposed showdown with Zab Judah collapse last week when Judah suffered a shock defeat against unheralded Colombian Carlos Baldomir.

And Hatton's father and business manager Ray admits he is ready to discuss the prospect of a fight with Mayweather in America in late April or early May.

"The Mayweather fight has been on the cards ever since Ricky beat Kostya Tszyu - and if someone came along and said 'Here is the Mayweather fight' we would take it," he said.

"We are very close to finalising a deal for his next fight now, but what we do know is that Ricky is going to be fighting in America in either April or May."

Hatton has been inundated with offers since his decision to head Stateside for his next defence, with an April confrontation against Canadian brawler Arturo Gatti appearing the most likely option.

But the possibility of a big money super-fight against Mayweather may prove too tempting to turn down.

"We have got to do what is best for us because we have had eight years where we have not had many choices, so it is a nice position to be in,” added Hatton Snr.

"If a big fight was out there we would take it immediately. But Ricky is only just 27; he is younger than the other champions and he has got time on his side.

"It is all about going over there and, I hope, introducing Ricky and his personality to the American public.

"Pay-per-view is the goal, but ideally it would be good to have a couple of fights for people to get to know him."

**Taken from SkySports**

[EXIGE]

To be fair, that article did raise 2 main points of interest.

The fact that Gatti (although being a "name" and someone to pad the record) will help introduce Hatton to the American public, and will build interest in the Mayweather fight for those who has possibly only seen Hatton-KT.

And also, the age of Hatton. At only 27, you have to say that he has a big advantage.... in terms of that..

[xzworks]

Baldomir a Colombian? or argentinian?

Mayweather saw a proposed showdown with Zab Judah collapse last week when Judah suffered a shock defeat against unheralded Colombian Carlos Baldomir.

[EXIGE]

No-one interested in potentially fight of 2006 lol!

[jspivey]

Personally I think he should fight Gatti first. He was in attendance
when PBF beat the s#$t outta Gatti. Take some time and master a gameplan
PBF isn't a fight he should rush into. No matter how many bucks are on the table.

[EXIGE]

Personally I think he should fight Gatti first. He was in attendance
when PBF beat the s#$t outta Gatti. Take some time and master a gameplan
PBF isn't a fight he should rush into. No matter how many bucks are on the table.

And now, you're in blue..

[jspivey]

And now, you're in blue..

Thx. I appreciate it.

[Easy-E]

i think both fighters should take a GOOD warm up fight
id like to see floyd get a belt vs baldomir, and gatti hatton is ok with me. id like hatton cotto more, but what can you do

[EXIGE]

i think both fighters should take a GOOD warm up fight
id like to see floyd get a belt vs baldomir, and gatti hatton is ok with me. id like hatton cotto more, but what can you do

Yeah but look at that on the flipside....

I would like Hatton - Baldomir and PBF - Cotto but what can i do?

[!!! Beowulf !!!]

i think both fighters should take a GOOD warm up fight
id like to see floyd get a belt vs baldomir, and gatti hatton is ok with me. id like hatton cotto more, but what can you do

A warm up fight would be preferable I think. Such fights can only increase the value of the big fight, and neither fighter is a screw-up like Zab so it wouldn't be much of a risk.