Ricky Hatton's next opponent - Juan Lazcano? by Ian McNeilly Feb 13th 2008

Rumours are circulating that Ricky Hatton's next opponent is to be American Juan Lazcano. Recent world title challenger Herman Ngoudjo and IBO welter champ Isaac Hlatshwayo have both been touted as men for Hatton's opposite corner on his comeback fight (currently May 24th in Manchester) but Lazcano is now believed to be the preferred opponent. Lazcano, 'The Hispanic Causing Panic', is a former challenger for the WBC lightweight title, failing on points against Jose Luis Castillo in June 2004. Three years later, Castillo was stopped by Hatton. If Lazcano is the opponent, come first bell time he won't have fought for some fifteen months - since he lost a close but unanimous points decision to Vivian Harris in an eliminator for the WBC light-welterweight title. Harris was then brutally KO'd in seven by the man most British fans would like to see Hatton in with, Junior Witter. Lazcano has a record of 37-4-1. The only major world body who currently ranks him is the IBF, at 13. In other Hatton news, his local paper the Manchester Evening News reports that Wembley has made a bid to try and persuade him to fight there instead of at Eastlands. They have suggested the date of a week later, May 31st. The national stadium can hold 20,000 more fans than Man City's ground - and have told Team Hatton they would sell another 10,000 expensive corporate tickets for executive boxes. The paper reports Hatton has turned down the offer of $1m from American television to fight in the early hours to suit US audiences because he wants it to take place at the convenience of British fans. A Hatton camp insider told MEN Sport: "Wembley has made a pitch, but Ricky has set his heart on Eastlands. If it was about money we'd be going back to America and Vegas or Madison Square Garden in New York. But it's not. He wants to reward his fans by fighting in England, preferably here in Manchester in English time, so maybe a father can take his children along and not have to stay up until the early hours." No confirmation of the opponent will be made until the date and venue have been finalised.

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