English boxer Ricky Hatton is considering an offer from Floyd Mayweather Jr — the only boxer to beat him in an 11-year career — for a lucrative rematch.
Mayweather has been out of the ring since stopping Hatton in the 10th round last December to win the WBC welterweight title.
“We had a conversation with a third party last night asking whether if we were approached by the Mayweather team would a possible rematch be on the cards,” Ricky Hatton’s father, Ray, said on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) hired Mayweather’s father, Floyd Sr, to help him defend his IBO light welterweight title against Paul Malignanni last month in Las Vegas.
Hatton has prioritized a bout with Manny Pacquiao after watching him beat Oscar De La Hoya earlier this month.
“Pacquiao is now regarded as pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world and that’s a fight that Ricky would like,” Ray Hatton said. “I know all the fans would like to see it as well because you’ll get the excitement.”
Fighting Pacquiao would see Hatton stepping into the ring at his natural light-welterweight limit of 140lbs (63.5kg) rather the welterweight mark of 147lbs.
ADVANTAGES
“We’ve not talked about weight. Ricky gave away all the advantages last time to challenge Mayweather,” said Gareth Williams, Hatton’s lawyer.
“He makes no secret of the fact he is a 140lbs fighter so for any future negotiations ... I think we’re in a position now where we don’t have to give away all the bargaining positions,” he said.
But with no contracts signed, the Mancunian’s camp is still receiving other offers.
“Every light welterweight in the world wants to fight Hatton,” Williams said. “We’ve also had approaches from people at 130 lbs, Juan [Manuel] Marquez and Juan Diaz both want to fight him. He is a massive draw and can fight where he wants.”
Williams wants Hatton’s next opponent to be lined up before the end of the month.
SPLIT
“We’re hoping that something can be agreed in principle before the end of the year,” Williams said. “What we want to agree in principle is the percentage split of any fight money, be it with Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao.”
“The overriding factor will be American TV money. There’s never been a big pay-per-view event outside of America. I would stress that Ricky brings as much to the table as either of those two,” he said.
Hatton said in October that he had been thinking about a possible rematch with Mayweather.
“I think he’ll come out of retirement after the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight. Floyd is all about controversy and he’ll want to come out and do it,” Hatton said.
The 55-year-old Mayweather Sr, who is estranged from his son, would have no qualms about training Hatton for a fight.
“Does Floyd give me any money? That answers your question about who I will train,” he said.
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