Ricky Hatton looks set to fight in Britain on his return to the ring - but it will not be against WBC light-welterweight champion Junior Witter.
Hitman to fight in Britain next
Ricky Hatton looks set to fight in Britain on his return to the ring - but it will not be against WBC light-welterweight champion Junior Witter.
The Hitman is keen to reward his legion of fans with a domestic fight in 2008 before returning to the United States for a clash with New York-based IBF title holder Pauli Malignaggi.
However, a mouth-watering clash with Sheffield's Witter - who has been calling out Hatton for the best part of a decade - will not take place... yet.
Hatton's father/manager Ray told the telegraph.co.uk that his son could have five fights over the next two years, and that Witter could be one of them.
''Ricky's only 29 and he could go on until his early thirties, but he doesn't want to fight when he is a shadow of himself," he said.
"It goes in cycles, with one year having three fights and the next two, so it will be two next year.
''It's really too early to say who he'll take on next, but it will be a world-ranked opponent. I can see a Junior Witter fight at some stage, but not right now."
Gavin Rees, the WBA champion from Wales, could present an ideal opportunity for Hatton back at 140lb before a return to the US where he is now a huge box office draw.
And in a letter to his fans, Hatton revealed: ''My Dad and I both agree that the time is right and we would like to repay the fans' loyalty with a fight in this country."
Malignaggi makes a mandatory first defence of his IBF title against Canada's Herman Ngoudjo in New Jersey on January 5.
