Ricky Hatton told Soccer AM he has already held talks with Floyd Mayweather over a possible rematch.
Hatton already in talks over Mayweather rematch next year
Ricky Hatton has revealed he has already opened talks for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
The Pretty Boy's promoters, Golden Boy, have hinted that he would be willing to come to England for a return fight next Spring.
Hatton has to overcome Juan Lazcano - live on
Sky Box Office on May 24 - and then Paulie Malignaggi in New York first and had remained tight-lipped over the prospect of taking on Mayweather for a second time.
But he has confirmed that there have been initial discussions regarding a return in 2009, although he did suggest that he would prefer to meet Mayweather at light-welterweight.
"We've been talking to the camp already, but obviously it's all about me rebuilding and redeeming myself," he told
Soccer AM.
"My next fight's against Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium back down at my normal weight because I've gone up to welterweight twice and although I've won a world title at welterweight, at junior-welterweight I'm normally able to bully my opponents.
"Moving up a weight I give up that strength and edge, that strength I have and it's proved difficult.
"But I've got no fear of of going in for another crack at him again - with a different ref!"
Re-establish
Mayweather's representatives have suggested a rematch over here could attract a seven-figure crowd, which makes Wembley Stadium the likely venue.
But first Hatton has two more wishes to cross off his list: fighting at Manchester City and then topping the bill at Madison Square Garden.
"What I've got to do is win this fight. Paulie Malignaggi is on the undercard and he's the IBF champion so hppefully if I win this, I will get to fulfil another dream and fight at Madison Square Garden and top the bill.
"Winning those two fights I will re-establish myself and get the rematch. And hopefully Mayweather will come over here, because I always have to go over there!"
Before that though, Hatton has to get back on track by beating Lazcano, the Hispanic Causing Panic.
It will be his first fight on these shores since beating Kostya Tszyu almost three years ago, but the man himself is amazed at the support he still has.
"People must be sick of me saying for so many years as a big Man City fan, how it's my dream to top the bill at their ground and now my dream's come true," he said.
"But back to the fans situation, 55,000 fans? I had a feeling I'd probably sell out, but not in nine days! It's absolutely incredible.
"It's a dream. I went to the Benn-Eubank fight that was at Old Trafford, that was open air and there were 45,000. This is 10,000 more. I can't thank the fans enough."
