Floyd Mayweather Jr approaches Ricky Hatton about chances of rematch
December 17, 2008
Floyd Mayweather Jr has approached Ricky Hatton's team about a possible rematch in 2009, according to the English boxer's father. Hatton suffered his only professional defeat at the hands of the American in Las Vegas a year ago, but the 30-year-old two-weight world champion has spoken of his desire for a rematch with the American, who retired after the victory.
Ray Hatton confirmed they had been contacted on behalf of the American. "It hasn't come from us because we just took it as what it was, a third party sounding us out," he said. "Really at the moment we're looking at Manny Pacquiao. It's very nice for Ricky to still be in such a big league."
The Englishman's preference for a fight with Pacquiao rather than Mayweather is likely to be due, in part, to his reluctance to fight again at the 147lbs welterweight limit where he has struggled, rather than his natural light-welterweight limit of 140lbs.
Gareth Williams, Hatton's lawyer, confirmed the wealth of options available to his client. "Every light-welterweight in the world wants to fight Hatton," he said. "We've also had approaches from people at 130lbs (the lightweight division), Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz both want to fight him. He is a massive draw and can fight where he wants.
"We've also had approaches from Mayweather to have a rematch with him. He wants to fight Ricky. But the fight we want to make, our preference, is Pacquiao because we think that is a great fight."
However, Williams, denied that Bob Arum, the Filippino's promoter, has started negotiations with them for the fight. "He's not talked to us at all," he said. "We're happy to fight Pacquiao but it has to be on our terms. We won't be bullied or forced into any decision. That is the fight we want to make but we've got other options, we will do what is best for us."
Earlier today, Arum proposed May 2 or 9 as potential dates for the bout and said that it would not take place in England. "We are in negotiations with the Hatton people and I think we're moving closer," he said. "I can assure you it will not be at Wembley. Not because Manny would be afraid to fight in England but because Wembley makes no economic sense, because we'll have to do it at 5am [to suit American television] and outdoors, where there is a 90 per cent chance of rain."
Pacquiao dismantled Oscar De La Hoya in eight rounds on December 6 to take the unofficial title of the world's best pound-for-pound boxer and Arum appears to want him to face Hatton in the spring of 2009 and then Mayweather later in the year.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/boxing/article5359851.ece
December 17, 2008
Floyd Mayweather Jr has approached Ricky Hatton's team about a possible rematch in 2009, according to the English boxer's father. Hatton suffered his only professional defeat at the hands of the American in Las Vegas a year ago, but the 30-year-old two-weight world champion has spoken of his desire for a rematch with the American, who retired after the victory.
Ray Hatton confirmed they had been contacted on behalf of the American. "It hasn't come from us because we just took it as what it was, a third party sounding us out," he said. "Really at the moment we're looking at Manny Pacquiao. It's very nice for Ricky to still be in such a big league."
The Englishman's preference for a fight with Pacquiao rather than Mayweather is likely to be due, in part, to his reluctance to fight again at the 147lbs welterweight limit where he has struggled, rather than his natural light-welterweight limit of 140lbs.
Gareth Williams, Hatton's lawyer, confirmed the wealth of options available to his client. "Every light-welterweight in the world wants to fight Hatton," he said. "We've also had approaches from people at 130lbs (the lightweight division), Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz both want to fight him. He is a massive draw and can fight where he wants.
"We've also had approaches from Mayweather to have a rematch with him. He wants to fight Ricky. But the fight we want to make, our preference, is Pacquiao because we think that is a great fight."
However, Williams, denied that Bob Arum, the Filippino's promoter, has started negotiations with them for the fight. "He's not talked to us at all," he said. "We're happy to fight Pacquiao but it has to be on our terms. We won't be bullied or forced into any decision. That is the fight we want to make but we've got other options, we will do what is best for us."
Earlier today, Arum proposed May 2 or 9 as potential dates for the bout and said that it would not take place in England. "We are in negotiations with the Hatton people and I think we're moving closer," he said. "I can assure you it will not be at Wembley. Not because Manny would be afraid to fight in England but because Wembley makes no economic sense, because we'll have to do it at 5am [to suit American television] and outdoors, where there is a 90 per cent chance of rain."
Pacquiao dismantled Oscar De La Hoya in eight rounds on December 6 to take the unofficial title of the world's best pound-for-pound boxer and Arum appears to want him to face Hatton in the spring of 2009 and then Mayweather later in the year.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/boxing/article5359851.ece
