Who should Hatton fight next? by Jonny Callender May 27th 2008

Saturday's ‘Homecoming' bout saw Ricky Hatton make a gruelling but successful return to the ring, bouncing back from his first professional defeat with a unanimous victory over brave, tough and game Mexican Juan Lazcano.  Just as Hatton kept his end of the bargain by winning at the City of Manchester Stadium, IBF light-welterweight titlist Paul Malignaggi did likewise by narrowly edging a split decision against Lovemore N'dou. It therefore seems that a Hatton-Malignaggi bout later in the year is set to take place, however, it is far from a done deal and perhaps it would be worth Ricky considering his other options. The light-welter and welterweight divisions are arguably the hottest in the sport at present with some very entertaining and highly talented champions. The light-welter line-up is as follows; WBA – Andreas Kotelnik WBC – Timothy Bradley IBF – Paul Malignaggi WBO – Ricardo Torres IBO – Ricky Hatton Germany-based Ukranian Andreas Kotelnik is the current WBA champ having recently crashed former champion Gavin Rees' party to take the title from the Welshman. 30-year-old Kotelnik boasts a record of 29-2-1 that includes a loss to Junior Witter back in July of '05, a fight that was not easy on the eyes. Kotelnik has a very strong, technical style which is typical of the Eastern-Europeans, moving forward behind a high guard and methodically breaking opponents down. Hatton's come-forward style could gel well with that of Kotelnik's and it is a fight that Ricky would more than likely win, however, it is not a fight that would sell very well stateside and this could deter team Hatton from making the match. Newly crowned WBC king Timothy Bradley has expressed his eagerness to share a ring with ‘The Hitman' as soon as possible. Bradley bulldozed through Junior Witter in Nottingham earlier this month to lift the title, sending the former champ from Bradford to the canvas en route to a split decision win. California born Bradley cuts a powerful physique at ten stone and is a very aggressive fighter who is often guilty of using his head as well as his fists to inflict damage. Nearly six years Ricky's junior, at 24 years of age and unbeaten in 22 bouts, Bradley looks to have a bright future ahead of him. A fight between himself and Hatton could make for an entertaining spectacle that would gain interest both here and in America. Another possibility is Columbian born WBO champion Ricardo Torres. Torres gave classy Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto all he could handle before being stopped in the seventh round of an all-action thriller back in '05. Since then he has won the WBO belt that Cotto vacated and successfully defended it on two occasions. At 28-years-old, with a record of 32-1-0, Torres is a lively, rugged puncher who has stopped 28 of his victims and this is a fight that I feel would be the most dangerous fight for Hatton, and therefore the most unlikely to take place. Torres also has a return date with talented American Kendall Holt in July which he would need to come through before speculating upon an encounter with ‘The Hitman'. Other options for Hatton include another attempt at conqueror Floyd Mayweather Jr, a fight that I cannot see Ricky winning right now. Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya has hinted at the possibility of a meeting with Ricky, however, if Hatton feels that ‘size' was an issue against Mayweather then a bout with natural light-middleweight De La Hoya is not a wise concept. In addition, there's the highly unlikely option of fallen champion Junior Witter, a clash that would only really appeal to British fight fans and that I see Ricky winning. If the ‘American-factor' is what determines Hatton's next choice of opponent, then indeed, a contest with Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden in New York looks to be the most obvious selection. With Malignaggi carrying little power with which to threaten Ricky, I imagine a meeting between the two to provide a re-enactment of Cotto's destruction of Malignaggi, with Hatton dishing out the trouncing on his way to a points victory. Whatever Team Hatton choose to do, it needs to happen sooner rather than later, as Ricky needs to stay active and refrain from a lifestyle that could put his abilities in jeopardy. We shall see.

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Andy May 28th 2008, 12:21:58 by andy jones Malignaggi is the only fight that makes sense for Ricky's next bout, the other light welters have no real marquee value here or in the US. Assuming Hatton wins he should then target a Manny Pacquiao fight which would be huge, and creditable, in America. He couldd then end up with a mega money fight in Britain against Mayweather and as Hatton is the ticket seller make the fight at 10stones.