Hatton: "I'll make the whole country proud" by Ian McNeilly Feb 19th 2007

The match up between British great Ricky Hatton and former lightweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo has been confirmed for Las Vegas in June. The match, for the lightly regarded IBO light-welterweight belt, will be held at the 17,000-capacity Thomas and Mack Center on June 23. Castillo is best known in Britain for two wars with Diego Corrales, the first of which was one of the most memorable fights of all time when Castillo had Corrales all but out only to suffer a knockout defeat after an unbelievable turn around. Hatton is talking about his legacy and on this occasion he is right to do so. The Hitman feels his fight will outdo what is set to be the biggest grossing fight of all time which will happen the month before - much-loved Oscar De La Hoya's fascinating clash with universally disliked Floyd Mayweather. Hatton said: "I am not going to take a backward step and neither will Jose. That has always been a priority for me as a fighter because it means a lot to me what the fans think. "People remember fighters like me, Arturo Gatti and Julio Cesar Chavez more than they remember safety-first fighters like Floyd Mayweather. "As fantastic as Mayweather is, I would not swap my style for his talent. I think he will be very negative in the De La Hoya fight. I might set the video but I won't stay up to watch it." In Manchester for today's fight announcement, Castillo said through an interpreter: "It was my intention to have just one fight at 140lbs then go up to 147lbs, but I felt so strong. "I think Ricky will be similar to Corrales. Corrales comes to fight right at you and Ricky does the same thing. He is different to Mayweather because he runs and doesn't come to fight." Hatton said: "When I beat Kostya Tszyu I beat one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world and Jose undoubtedly falls into that category as well. "You become a great fighter by fighting great fighters and Jose is one of them. I am so excited about this fight and I am living my dreams by topping the bill in Las Vegas again. "This fight does not need anyone to sell it because everybody knows how good it is going to be. It is what the fans want to see and I hope to make the whole country proud of me." Hatton will now head off for his customary family cruise before getting down to a long fitness camp to be ready for the big night which will see the biggest exodus of British fans overseas for many a year.

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