Hatton Names His Next Challenge

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Ricky Hatton has already targeted his next opponent, just a few hours after becoming a two-time world champion.

The 27-year-old Briton claimed the WBA welterweight belt on Saturday by out-pointing Luis Collazo in Boston. Now he is chasing another challenge and wants to take on the winner of next month's WBC lightweight clash between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo.

"If I had my choice I would fight the winner of the Castillo-Corrales fight, but it's up to my team," said Hatton.

Hatton has already hinted he could be willing to fight at a lower weight again. A drop to lightweight would probably be too much for the Mancunian, but a fight against either Corrales or Castillo at light welterweight could be an option.

Hatton won the IBF and WBA belts at light welterweight before giving them up to take on Collazo. American Corrales puts his WBC crown on the line against Mexico's Castillo in Las Vegas on 3 June. They have already met twice in two stunning bouts.
Corrales won the first, coming back from two knockdowns in the 10th round to stop the WBC champion in what many regarded as the best fight of 2005.

Castillo then took the second in October of last year, although his fourth-round stoppage of Corrales did not net him a world title because he had failed to make the weight.

Corrales, 28, has a total of 40 victories from his 43 bouts, winning 33 of them by knockout. Castillo, 32, has knocked out 47 opponents in his 54 wins from 62 fights.

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I think Hatton would win against both of them at light welterweight, as thats his ideal weight category.

[moochi]

I think Hatton would win against both of them at light welterweight, as thats his ideal weight category.

so hatton is saying he can't handle 147 and now wants to fight 135-lbers.....come on...stay at 147 and fight margarito!

[-Antonio-]

I cant imagine Coralles ever moving up with his chin.

[Kball15]

Hatton would beat either of them in a GREAT match. i would love to watch any of those fights. Hatton is one of the best 140 pounders. losing another few pounds after that shouldnt effect him that much. I see him putting on another great show for uns, but undoubtedly winning. I think even the Hatton haters out there can agree on that.


ANd carrales wouldnt move up, Hatton would move down.

I do think hatton should stay at 147, but a fight against carrales or castillo is just so tempting. he could really prove himself to the states by winning one of those. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully the fight happens in october.

[chawkins]

If that was PBF saying that he wants to move down in weight people would try to crucify him. **** that, if PBF gets bashed so does Hatton, you gave up your belts, now stay up in weight. Hatton, now wants to fight little guys, bull****...

[potatoes]

Once a man moves up in weight going back down is usually seen to be a failure and almost always reduces marketability. Hatton needs to give Collazo a rematch and beat him decisively if he wants to continue boxing at the highest levels and for the biggest paychecks. The American boxing fans were not impressed with his pathetic performance against Collazo and dropping weight to fight Castillo or Coralles wil not make him any more popular.

GIVE COLLAZO THE REMATCH!

[Moschino045]

castillo & corrales are easy 2 hit, & fatton does have strength & power 2 take them out

but put fatton in with a skilled boxer & he will be owned every time. imagine what a total mismatch it would be against a mayweather, judah, mosley, oscar or even a jr witter

[mECHsLAVE]

Castillo can hardly even make 135 anymore. He's a Jr Welter, let's face it.

Corrales is just so good at cutting and dehydrating that 135 is ideal for him, even though he comes in the ring at 150+.

Both guys can easily fight at 140, as they are big for lightweight, and Hatton is really too physically small for welter. So I think a match with either makes perfect sense.

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This was Hatton’s first fight at this division against bigger opponents. Hatton’s reach is only 65’’ and Luis Collazo’s reach is 72’’, Hatton has not done too badly at all, considering the 7'' inch advantage. Also Hatton is only 5’6, which is quite small even for welterweight division and was able to cope with a larger opponent.

He would probably need about 2 more fights at Welterweight, before he fights Mayweather later in 2007.

Luis Collazo was underrated in my opinion; I am certain that he will do well in the future.