It's Senchenko for Ricky Hatton.

[Hagler2002]

I don't mean to be funny but for the people saying this is a tough opponent etc. did you see how bad Senchenko was against Malignaggi? And apart from that fight his record is rather padded.

Not knocking him as an opponent as you can't expect Hatton to jump straight back in at the deep end but if Malignaggi stopped him I'd expect Ricky to do the same.

[ScottDetonator]

A good comeback fight this one. Before his loss to Paulie, wasn't Senchenko being touted as being pretty damn good? Trained by Freddie Roach as well.

I'm a bit nervous for Ricky here but I'm guessing that's just because I want him to do well and not get hurt.

I see it being a 10 rounder with Ricky winning on points but the atmosphere is going to be something very special. Lets hope those trademark bodyshots are still firing home as every punch is roared on. Come on Ricky!

[deadpan]

It's very admirable and bodes well for Ricky's intent. If Warren was promoting it and had sold out a venue on the strength of a TBA opponent he'd be talking up a Stephen Smith rematch under the guise of 'Unfinished Business'.

[ThereByTheGrace]

Coral are saying its on Allegedly channel. Dunno if its a typo or the know more than us!

Bookies are rarely wrong are they?

[leforge]

Coral are saying its on Allegedly channel. Dunno if its a typo or the know more than us!

Bookies are rarely wrong are they?

Probablay wrong!

[Datsue]

A good comeback fight this one. Before his loss to Paulie, wasn't Senchenko being touted as being pretty damn good? Trained by Freddie Roach as well.

I'm a bit nervous for Ricky here but I'm guessing that's just because I want him to do well and not get hurt.

I see it being a 10 rounder with Ricky winning on points but the atmosphere is going to be something very special. Lets hope those trademark bodyshots are still firing home as every punch is roared on. Come on Ricky!

Senchenko was a bit touted but Malignaggi outclassed him & exposed him. He also made Paulie look like a puncher in there, & if they hadn't stopped it on facial damage he'd probably have got knocked clean out.

I've got to praise the choice of opponent, because it's much better than I expected, but I would advise everyone to actually watch the Malignaggi fight before going too overboard with the man-love for Senchenko. He looked slow & easy to hit & vulnerable & without power in the Paulie fight, which is why he's got the call here.

Ricky needs someone to smash up sensationally, yet extend him a bit & they're obviously figuring he'll do the do vs Senchenko. I hope he does (& the Hatton of three/four year ago would've crushed him in about six), but it'll be a brilliant measuring stick to see what he's got left. Canny as fvck choice of opponent, really...

[Finch]

And the beauty about beating Senchenko in decent style is that it also surely puts him in line for Malignanggi next for his ABC title after Malignaggi beat Senchenko? I know he's only had one fight back at this point, but let's be honest, Hatton's not gonna have too many 'warm up fights' and he'll be able to negotiate a world title fight easily.

Mallignaggi wants it, good fight for Hatton, it will sell on both sides of the pond and then he can have a big summer showdown next summer with Khan for a title.

[SteveDow]

Got tickets for this last night. Is a decent card and will be good to see Hatton live. I think he'll battle to a points win. If I were Hatton, if he gets through this I'd make the Witter fight next. Would easily sell out the Etihad Stadium next Summer and it's a fight Hatton should win if he's got any hopes of getting near a world title shot.

[mickey1975]

Got tickets for this last night. Is a decent card and will be good to see Hatton live. I think he'll battle to a points win. If I were Hatton, if he gets through this I'd make the Witter fight next. Would easily sell out the Etihad Stadium next Summer and it's a fight Hatton should win if he's got any hopes of getting near a world title shot.

What if Witter loses to Gavin?

[twenty six]

No no no Stevedow.
Never going to happen !
We're talking a three fight comeback here - maybe four.
Witter won't make the first page of a list of potential opponents.

[stujones]

Witter is a backward step at this stage of his career compared to Senchenko.

[whiskey]

Khan fighting a 5'5" lightweight and hatton is fighting a welter after 3 years on the pop.

Say what you want, he's not messing about and fair play to the hitman.

[TheCobra]

Got tickets for this last night. Is a decent card and will be good to see Hatton live. I think he'll battle to a points win. If I were Hatton, if he gets through this I'd make the Witter fight next. Would easily sell out the Etihad Stadium next Summer and it's a fight Hatton should win if he's got any hopes of getting near a world title shot.

LMAO at this, Witter is not a name I would like to see in there with anyone, his fights these days are even more terrible than they used to be as his engine has completely gone, and he never really had one in the first place. Please will people leave the Witter thing alone, jeez!

[palooka]

Witter is a backward step at this stage of his career compared to Senchenko.

BoxRec have Senchenko at number 33; Vassell is at 35; Gavin at 36; Witter at 38 and Matthew Hatton at number 39.

Hatton v Witter would be a big big bout and isn't he the British Champ? There's not many really have an opinion about Senchenko or seen him fight. I hope Ricky beats this man and boxes Witter, it's silly really. Grudges shift tickets and make money.The top 5 Welters are a very very tough night for anyone.

[P4P#1]

Witter is a backward step at this stage of his career compared to Senchenko.

BoxRec have Senchenko at number 33; Vassell is at 35; Gavin at 36; Witter at 38 and Matthew Hatton at number 39.

Hatton v Witter would be a big big bout and isn't he the British Champ? There's not many really have an opinion about Senchenko or seen him fight. I hope Ricky beats this man and boxes Witter, it's silly really. Grudges shift tickets and make money.The top 5 Welters are a very very tough night for anyone.

It sold out in 2 days mate dont think they need worry about ticket sales,

[palooka]

Witter is a backward step at this stage of his career compared to Senchenko.

BoxRec have Senchenko at number 33; Vassell is at 35; Gavin at 36; Witter at 38 and Matthew Hatton at number 39.

Hatton v Witter would be a big big bout and isn't he the British Champ? There's not many really have an opinion about Senchenko or seen him fight. I hope Ricky beats this man and boxes Witter, it's silly really. Grudges shift tickets and make money.The top 5 Welters are a very very tough night for anyone.

It sold out in 2 days mate dont think they need worry about ticket sales,

You've got it right there; they'd sell out if Ricky was in with Bungle from PlaySchool, BUT, a PPV needs a selling point (in this economic climate) to make it worth shelling £15, Witter does it for me, over Senchenko.

[Bard of Boxrec]

You've got it right there; they'd sell out if Ricky was in with Bungle from PlaySchool, BUT, a PPV needs a selling point (in this economic climate) to make it worth shelling £15, Witter does it for me, over Senchenko.

Bungle was in Rainbow.

[bripez]

I understand that Hatton feels that needs a fight so that he has got something to focus on, but this is a short term fix - he cant fight when he is 40 / 50 /60.

Whatever problems he has, he would be better advised to resolving them another way.

I agree with the person who said that this will be a 3 or 4 fight comeback - one which I believe will culminate in Hatton being stopped by Khan in the next year or so (if he can't sleep after losing to Mayweather and Pac, how is he going to cope with that ?).

Whatever happens, it is not going to end well.

As long as he is winning he will continue (he will not just retire), so therefore it will take a defeat to make him change his mind - hopefully he won't get hurt as nobody wants to see that - listen to your dad Ricky, you know it makes sense.

[jtourettes]

Do not rule out Skysports/
Box Office untill it has been confirmed who Ricky has gone with.
There is obviously a bidding war going on behind the scenes. I've always been told that Sky are desperate for the fight and according to alot of faces up here in Manc land they are the favourites.
There not silly they know ratings for this fight will go through the roof - I guess it comes down to who can offer the most ££ and long term options.

You've got to remember that they have Khan as well and it's obvious the long term plans is for Hatton - Khan next year. If Ricky does go for primetime he might just sell this show as a one off PPV to keep his options open.

I want it to be on sky as I want to enjoy the action on my armchair in the full glory of widescreen HD so I've got my fingers crossed.

I thought the khan deal with Sky was for 3 fights? Sure I read or heard that somewhere when he went back to them with his tail between his legs.

Khan fighting a 5'5" lightweight and hatton is fighting a welter after 3 years on the pop.

Say what you want, he's not messing about and fair play to the hitman.

[SteveDow]

People can say what they want about Witter but it is an indisputable fact to anyone with any ounce of business sense that this fight would be worth making at this stage in Hatton's career. Let's face it, Hatton will not get back to fighting at elite level again. Mayweather, Pacman, Cotto and the like would be way too good for Hatton at this stage of his career. On that basis, he should be taking the fights that make him as much money as possible and the Witter fight would be one such fight and would be a decent warm up fight for a shot at Khan or Brook. Yes, Witter is crap now, yes the fight may not enhance Hatton's legacy but it would sell in bucketloads, would be one of the biggest fights of the last decade in the UK and in theory would at least be a winnable fight.

[palooka]

You've got it right there; they'd sell out if Ricky was in with Bungle from PlaySchool, BUT, a PPV needs a selling point (in this economic climate) to make it worth shelling £15, Witter does it for me, over Senchenko.

Bungle was in Rainbow.

The heavy rock band?