By Rick Reeno

As reported on here a few days ago, promoter Frank Warren announced to the UK media that it was almost a done deal for Ricky Hatton to meet junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu. Warren said there was an agreed upon date and venue, March 5, 2005 at Manchester's MEN Arena.

Warren told the UK media that the only two issues that had to be resolved in making the bout happen were Hatton agreeing to the terms of the fight and the UK/USA TV networks being satisfied with Warren's proposal.

"I believe I am close to an announcement -- this fight is definitely on. Tszyu said he wanted a big fight, and they don't come any bigger than facing Ricky in his own backyard in front of a 22,000 crowd." Warren told the UK media several days ago.

It appears that the Kostya Tszyu camp is denying any agreement being in place for a meeting between Tszyu and Hatton. The Tszyu camp told the Australian media that they would rather have Kostya fight unified welterweight champion Cory Spinks.

"I think Frank Warren is getting way ahead of himself," said Tszyu's manager Matt Watt. "We have not signed any deal to fight Ricky Hatton and he is just one of a number of opponents we are looking at for Kostya's next fight.

"Hatton is the No.1 contender for Kostya's title and Kostya has to defend against him within nine months but a lot can happen in that time."