Hatton: who next?

"The fat kid will be back", says Ricky Hatton. But against who?

The Hitman has already said he would rather die than go out on a loss following his Las Vegas heartbreak at the hands of Floyd Mayweather.

But where does he go next? And more importantly, who does he go for next?

Oscar de la Hoya has thrown his hat into the ring, Junior Witter says an all-British showdown is the only avenue left open and after two disappointing stabs at 147lbs, weight could dictate.

Here are the viable options left open to the Hitman...

Junior Witter

The Hitter has long been calling out the Hitman and at long last, now has a belt to tempt him into a long-awaited showdown. Witter says Hatton has to meet him to remove any doubts before he does call it a day, Hatton has already told skysports.com the Bradford switch-hitter is "not in the equation" - but that was before defeat. Boxing fans up and down the country would demand it, it could sell out a major stadium and as a bona fide - and none too big - light-welterweight, Witter fits the bill on more than one count. Many experts would also back his style to pose big problems.

Oscar de la Hoya

The Golden Boy is a Hatton fan and realises that despite defeat, the Hitman's stock his still high. Never one to miss out on a commercial opportunity and still big box office himself, de la Hoya would not be adverse to coming to Britain. Hatton has said he wants to fight on home soil next, Oscar could promote, the fans would love to see it, it keeps Ricky in the limelight, so what's the problem? Weight. It's been six years since Oscar boxed at light-welter and Ricky Graham and Kerry Kayes are adamant their man should step back down to light-welter, where he has done all his damage.

Gavin Rees

Does not hold the same interest and commercial potential as even Witter, but Hatton has always said it's not about the money. So could the WBA light-welterweight belt tempt him to take on the little Welshman, the latest off Enzo Calzaghe's conveyor belt of world champions? If Mayweather was too big, then pint-sized Rees would be perfect down at 140lbs, but in truth is not yet the established name Hatton demands. He also fights under Frank Warren's promotional banner and given the history between the two, it might be an insurmountable problem.

Paulie Malignaggi

Hatton has fulfilled one dream by topping the bill in Vegas, but he has also made no secret of the fact that star billing at Madison Square Garden - where he had his second pro bout - is also up there. New Yorker Malignaggi is big enough box office to guarantee a sell-out and he also gives Hatton the chance to extend his American popularity to the east coast. A slick boxer, 'The Magic Man' has the style that would make a fight viable and he also has the IBF strap. Right up there at the front of the queue and a fight that the Hitman could definitely win.

Ricardo Torres

Could be the dark horse in the mix. The Colombian holds the WBO crown vacated by Miguel Cotto's rise up through the weight division and is building a reputation as a knockout specialist. Twenty-eight of his 32 wins have come inside the distance and his only loss is indeed at the hands of Cotto. Has the title, would make for a sensational and potentially explosive match-up but lacks one crucial ingredient that Ricky now demands - box office. Inside the ring it would be great and would surely noty go the distance, but outside it Torres might not be big enough.

Miguel Cotto

A year or 18 months ago this was being touted as the most explosive fight at 140lbs, but if Hatton is a light-welter trying to make it at welter, Cotto was the opposite. Kelson Pinto, DeMarcus Corley and Paul Malignaggi were all beaten at the lower weight, before the inevitable happened and he moved up to 147lbs. Since then Shane Mosley and Zab Judah have been taken care of and the Puerto Rican - despite initial doubts about his chin - is creeping up the pound-for-pound rankings. He is also big box office, but the chance of meeting at light-welter are remote at best. And, he is already on the Pretty Boy's radar.

Floyd Mayweather

What price a rematch? Wishful thinking it may be, but can it really be ruled right out? OK, Floyd would have to drop back down to 140lbs for anyone to even entertain the prospect, but he did say he always wanted to fight in the UK, so why not? Hatton and his fans clearly won the Pretty Boy's respect and he is never one to do what's expected of him - until he gets in the ring. It might appear madness to even contemplate it, but what if Floyd wants another challenge, aside from Cotto? Hatton again at light-welter might well be it. Ok, it is madness. I'll get my coat...