- Feb 19, 2009
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Ricky Hatton's American promoter says a fight against Mexican three-weight world champion Juan Manuel Marquez could happen in Manchester next year. Hatton, 31, was knocked out in two rounds by Philippine superstar Manny Pacquiao in his last fight in May.
"Gareth Williams [Hatton's lawyer] has indicated to me Ricky would like to fight Marquez," said Richard Schaefer, head of Golden Boy Promotions.
"Juan Manuel accepted the challenge and would love to come to Manchester."
Williams, who is also Hatton's promotional partner, had already hinted the Mancunian was interested in returning to the ring, saying: "If Ricky does carry on it would be an ideal fight for him to take on Marquez."
And Schaefer added: "I think it would be a great, great all-action showdown so I'm frankly extremely excited if that fight could happen.
"I have informed [Marquez] of the possibility of a showdown in England, in Manchester, against Ricky Hatton, and he... accepted the opportunity."
Marquez lost his last outing to the returning Floyd Mayweather in September, finding himself outclassed and outpointed over 12 rounds.
However, that was only his fifth defeat in 56 fights, while he has also fought Pacquiao twice, drawing the first encounter in 2004 before losing on a controversial split decision last March.
Marquez is a former world champion at featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight, and a fight against Hatton would almost certainly take place at light-welterweight, Hatton's natural division.
While many observers have called for Hatton to hang up his gloves following his devastating loss to Pacquiao and his defeat at the hands of Mayweather in 2007, 'The Hitman' never officially retired.
He has been linked to a rematch with Mayweather as well as a British super-fight with WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan.
But his most recent appearance in a ring was against another Mexican in Chavo Guerrero, whom he 'fought' at a WWE wrestling show in Sheffield last weekend.
Hatton told BBC Sport last month: "Once I've had a good rest and I've recharged my batteries, I might give it another go, possibly after Christmas or in the new year.
"At the moment I've got no plans to come back, but you need to have the hunger to come back. I'm sure it will and I'm sure I'll give it another go."
"Gareth Williams [Hatton's lawyer] has indicated to me Ricky would like to fight Marquez," said Richard Schaefer, head of Golden Boy Promotions.
"Juan Manuel accepted the challenge and would love to come to Manchester."
Williams, who is also Hatton's promotional partner, had already hinted the Mancunian was interested in returning to the ring, saying: "If Ricky does carry on it would be an ideal fight for him to take on Marquez."
And Schaefer added: "I think it would be a great, great all-action showdown so I'm frankly extremely excited if that fight could happen.
"I have informed [Marquez] of the possibility of a showdown in England, in Manchester, against Ricky Hatton, and he... accepted the opportunity."
Marquez lost his last outing to the returning Floyd Mayweather in September, finding himself outclassed and outpointed over 12 rounds.
However, that was only his fifth defeat in 56 fights, while he has also fought Pacquiao twice, drawing the first encounter in 2004 before losing on a controversial split decision last March.
Marquez is a former world champion at featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight, and a fight against Hatton would almost certainly take place at light-welterweight, Hatton's natural division.
While many observers have called for Hatton to hang up his gloves following his devastating loss to Pacquiao and his defeat at the hands of Mayweather in 2007, 'The Hitman' never officially retired.
He has been linked to a rematch with Mayweather as well as a British super-fight with WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan.
But his most recent appearance in a ring was against another Mexican in Chavo Guerrero, whom he 'fought' at a WWE wrestling show in Sheffield last weekend.
Hatton told BBC Sport last month: "Once I've had a good rest and I've recharged my batteries, I might give it another go, possibly after Christmas or in the new year.
"At the moment I've got no plans to come back, but you need to have the hunger to come back. I'm sure it will and I'm sure I'll give it another go."