BoxRec

SPECULATION over Ricky Hatton's future will be put to bed in the coming weeks when he puts pen to paper on a three-fight deal with American pay-per-view giants HBO.

"He still wants to prove himself over there," said the Hitman's father and manager, Ray.

"Some people have said the Americans aren't interested, but HBO want him to sign a multi-fight deal."

They are not the only ones who want to be in the Hatton business, with Wembley eager to have the biggest draw in British boxing perform beneath the arch.

That is unlikely to be in May, when the Hyde-based Ring and IBO light-welterweight champion is expected to opt for an emotional homecoming at the City of Manchester Stadium for his return to the ring against Juan Lazcano.

Wembley, however, remains very much in Hatton's plans, depending on how it can work alongside the HBO contract.

But whether in Manchester, London, Las Vegas or New York, it is clear the 29-year-old has no imminent plans to retire, despite his defeat by Floyd Mayweather last December.

Rather, Hatton is determined to cement his place as the world's finest light-welterweight and one of the greatest in the history of the sport by taking on the biggest names in the division.

That could mean a potential Madison Square Garden fight against IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi, with whom Hatton's camp are in advanced talks to feature on the undercard of the Lazcano fight.

"The next fight has got to be in America and HBO want us to fight an American," said Ray. "Whoever we get on the under card, will be his next opponent in America. We are well down the road with Malignaggi at this moment."

That is bad news for WBC champion Junior Witter, who has so publicly tried to force a fight with the Hitman.

And while Hatton refuses to dismiss an all-British encounter, he remains furious at Witter's media campaign to pressure him into a bout.

Most recently the Bradford fighter offered to take just 30 percent of any potential purse - but Hatton's camp insist that even on those terms, he is still pricing himself out of the biggest fight of his career.

"We offered Junior Witter his highest purse he'd ever had," said Ray of previous negotiations with the 33-year-old.

"If someone offered Ricky that, I'd be insulted. But as far as Junior Witter was concerned, it was his biggest purse.

"It is unfortunate, but you are getting a fighter who has not captured the public's imagination. Most others would say they could live with what we offered. He can't say this, that and the other and then refuse the offer.

"We've taken that back now. It's gone. Now he wants 30 percent of everything that comes with a Ricky Hatton fight?"

The selection of Lazcano was a combination of honouring a previous agreement, as well as taking on one of the top contenders in the IBO rankings.

Though Witter is first in line, ranked number two, his fight with Demetrius Hopkins next month, rules him out of another so soon after in May.

Hatton beat number-three ranked Jose Luis Castillo last June, leaving 32-year-old Texan, Lazcano in the frame.

The pair were supposed to meet two years ago, only for California-based Lazcano to break his hand. He has won 37 of his 42 fights, including 27 knockouts.

Terry D wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:Arum has let slip that Pacman will be Hatton's third fight of his HBO deal.

I think he may retire after that.

Sounds about right. HBO don't mess about.

Chambers2 wrote:I bet Ricky's got a 'no Witter' clause in the contract

Terry D wrote:Junior should sign a 3-fight HBO deal. Then the fight will be 100% on.

Twinkle Toes wrote:So Witter turned down his biggest ever purse.

That puts a different light on things, and puts to bed any doubts that Hatton is dodging Witter.

I can see why Witter is stuck in no mans land to be honest, what with the sickie over Pinto and the refusal of a career high purse against Hatton.

Nuff said ;)

DG. wrote:

Terry D wrote:Junior should sign a 3-fight HBO deal. Then the fight will be 100% on.

This is why Boxing makes me sick at times - the Politics.

The WBC should make Hatton number 1 contender for the WBC.

What fighter would turn down a shot at the WBC Belt? It would crack me up if HBO demanded it - but they won't!

Rocky Balboa wrote:http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... am?rss=yes

SPECULATION over Ricky Hatton's future will be put to bed in the coming weeks when he puts pen to paper on a three-fight deal with American pay-per-view giants HBO.

"He still wants to prove himself over there," said the Hitman's father and manager, Ray.

"Some people have said the Americans aren't interested, but HBO want him to sign a multi-fight deal."

They are not the only ones who want to be in the Hatton business, with Wembley eager to have the biggest draw in British boxing perform beneath the arch.

That is unlikely to be in May, when the Hyde-based Ring and IBO light-welterweight champion is expected to opt for an emotional homecoming at the City of Manchester Stadium for his return to the ring against Juan Lazcano.

Wembley, however, remains very much in Hatton's plans, depending on how it can work alongside the HBO contract.

But whether in Manchester, London, Las Vegas or New York, it is clear the 29-year-old has no imminent plans to retire, despite his defeat by Floyd Mayweather last December.

Rather, Hatton is determined to cement his place as the world's finest light-welterweight and one of the greatest in the history of the sport by taking on the biggest names in the division.

That could mean a potential Madison Square Garden fight against IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi, with whom Hatton's camp are in advanced talks to feature on the undercard of the Lazcano fight.

"The next fight has got to be in America and HBO want us to fight an American," said Ray. "Whoever we get on the under card, will be his next opponent in America. We are well down the road with Malignaggi at this moment."

That is bad news for WBC champion Junior Witter, who has so publicly tried to force a fight with the Hitman.

And while Hatton refuses to dismiss an all-British encounter, he remains furious at Witter's media campaign to pressure him into a bout.

Most recently the Bradford fighter offered to take just 30 percent of any potential purse - but Hatton's camp insist that even on those terms, he is still pricing himself out of the biggest fight of his career.

"We offered Junior Witter his highest purse he'd ever had," said Ray of previous negotiations with the 33-year-old.

"If someone offered Ricky that, I'd be insulted. But as far as Junior Witter was concerned, it was his biggest purse.

"It is unfortunate, but you are getting a fighter who has not captured the public's imagination. Most others would say they could live with what we offered. He can't say this, that and the other and then refuse the offer.

"We've taken that back now. It's gone. Now he wants 30 percent of everything that comes with a Ricky Hatton fight?"

The selection of Lazcano was a combination of honouring a previous agreement, as well as taking on one of the top contenders in the IBO rankings.

Though Witter is first in line, ranked number two, his fight with Demetrius Hopkins next month, rules him out of another so soon after in May.

Hatton beat number-three ranked Jose Luis Castillo last June, leaving 32-year-old Texan, Lazcano in the frame.

The pair were supposed to meet two years ago, only for California-based Lazcano to break his hand. He has won 37 of his 42 fights, including 27 knockouts.

It must be frustrating for Witter now more than ever. It seems Ricky has no plans to face Junior whatsoever. Ray Hatton states Witter had previously been offered his highest purse to date, but when was that offer made?

Witter has shown how serious he is about making the bout by declaring he doesn't mid Ricky having the lions share of the purse. What more can Junior do?

I'm a fan of Ricky's, but at some stage, he's going to have to decide for definately, if he is to box Witter or not. If he chooses to not fight Junior at all, then wherever Hatton goes, Witter's name will always come up.

I feel sorry for Witter because I think he's avoided by other fighers. Not just one, but a few perhaps. I guess all Witter can do is keep plugging away, keep winning 7 hopefully, opportunities will come along for him.

Witter has not got time on his side though!

Terry D wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

Terry D wrote: Sounds about right. HBO don't mess about.

I hope he doesn't, be a shame, depends how he performs this year I guess. It's unusual to tie a fighter to such a short deal unless they know something we don't.

Don't HBO generally do 3-fight deals? I think it leaves them with more leeway. Toney signed one prior to Jones and they gave him the fight after as part of the deal then cancelled when he lost it.

I think it leaves HBO with some leeway in negotiations.

Twinkle Toes wrote:So Witter turned down his biggest ever purse.

That puts a different light on things, and puts to bed any doubts that Hatton is dodging Witter.

I can see why Witter is stuck in no mans land to be honest, what with the sickie over Pinto and the refusal of a career high purse against Hatton.

Nuff said ;)

DG. wrote:
What fighter would turn down a shot at the WBC Belt?

Chambers2 wrote:
Naivity at its best, IF he was offered a career high purse which is probably about 100K, then that's a piss-take offer considering what the fight would generate with PPV's, attendances, international TV rights etc. both sides have got to be realistic and I'm not too sure either are? Witters willing to take 30% which may still be abit high, but a career high-purse sounds good from Ray Hatton, but in reality.......

Twinkle Toes wrote:

Chambers2 wrote:
Naivity at its best, IF he was offered a career high purse which is probably about 100K, then that's a piss-take offer considering what the fight would generate with PPV's, attendances, international TV rights etc. both sides have got to be realistic and I'm not too sure either are? Witters willing to take 30% which may still be abit high, but a career high-purse sounds good from Ray Hatton, but in reality.......

For someone who whinges a lot about politics in boxing, you're quick to use it when your man is being questioned.

FACE IT - Witter has turned down a career best purse to fight Hatton - A fight he has said many a time he would take for 150k

If Witter and his camp are so confident of an upset then why not take the short end and reap the rewards afterwards?