Cash will not sway Hatton

Pacquiao will have to wait his turn

Last updated: 17th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cash will not sway Hatton

Hatton: Wants IBF crown

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Ricky Hatton will not be side-tracked from his fight with Paulie Malignaggi later this year according to his lawyer Gareth Williams.

Reports have suggested that Hatton has been offered big money to take on Manny Pacquiao instead, but that story was quashed by Williams.

"We have not spoken to anybody about a fight with Pacquiao," he said. "Ricky is contractually obliged to fight Paulie Malignaggi in November and that is what he will do.

"A fight with Pacquiao is something that has been mooted for next year and it is something we would be keen to do. But it is not going to happen this year. Ricky's only focus is on Malignaggi."

Hatton's showdown with IBF champion Malignaggi is generally accepted as a clash between the two best light-welterweights in the world.

But the venue has still to be finalised with Hatton hoping to make his debut at New York's historic Madison Square Garden - which happens to be Malignaggi's home patch.

"Ricky has made no secret of the fact that his choices are not just about cash," Williams added. "That's why he chose to fight in Manchester when he would have made more money going back to the US.

"Vegas offers the big money but Ricky has never fought in New York and has always stated his desire to do so. It would be a great experience and one he would be able to share with thousands of fans."

Manny Pacquiao, who is now considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world following the retirement of Floyd Mayweather, takes on David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title on June 28.

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