Hatton eyes Pacquiao-De la Hoya winner
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Ricky Hatton is ready to face the winner of next month's Manny Pacquiao-Oscar de la Hoya showdown after dispatching Paulie Malignaggi with ease yesterday.
Hatton stopped Malignaggi in the 11th round of their junior welterweight fight in Las Vegas, improving to 45-1 with 32 knockouts and serving notice that whichever lightweight star wins in two weeks, the "hitman" is waiting.
"What sort of a champion would I be if I didn't take on (Pacquaio or de la Hoya) next? That's what Ricky Hatton is all about," Hatton said.
The only blemish on Hatton's record came at welterweight when he was stopped in the 10th round a year ago by Floyd Mayweather Jnr in the same ring where Malignaggi's trainer Buddy McGirt threw in the towel.
"I've had 46 fights and only lost one and he was the best pound-for-pound in the world," Hatton said.
"No one will ever beat me at junior welterweight. No one."
With Pacquiao and de la Hoya meeting one weight class below Hatton, he might not have to risk supremacy at his specialty for what would surely be a big-money battle against Hispanic legend de la Hoya or Filipino hero Pacquiao.
"I would love to fight the winner," Hatton said.
"I would like to think I'd be in the shop window."
Hatton's loyal British supporters have been money-spinners for his Vegas fights and would likely push the possibilities for a match-up with US "Golden Boy" de la Hoya or Asian superstar Pacquiao.
Pacquiao is 47-3 with two drawn and 35 knockouts while de la Hoya is 39-5 with 30 knockouts.
-AFP
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