Undefeated Ricky Hatton moves back down to the junior welterweight division and challenges IBF champ Juan Urango on January 20 in Las Vegas. Not to look past Urango, Hatton tells the Sunday Mirror that he still views pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as the fight he wants most. He hopes that Mayweather beats De La Hoya because it will only make their fight bigger.
“I hope Mayweather beats De la Hoya because it would make our fight even bigger,” Hatton said. “I know, though, I’ve got to keep winning and I won’t be taking anyone lightly. Urango is unbeaten and dangerous and I’ll need to be at my best. But I’m in great shape. I’m having no trouble making the weight. In fact, I’m ahead of schedule.”
“There are some great fights out there for me – Castillo, Corrales and maybe one day Junior Witter, if that becomes a big enough fight. But the big one is Mayweather. Hopefully we can make all these big fights happen over the next two or three years.”
Hattons wants to redeem himself for a what he views as a poor performance when he won the WBA welterweight title from Luis Collazo. The performance was Hatton debut at 147, but it was also a bout that made him realize that his true weight is 140-pounds, and he vacated the belt to move back down in weight. He promises that fans will see the true Ricky Hatton when he meets Urango.
“My preparation for the Collazo fight wasn’t right. They kept switching the date and venue and I had all that legal business with Frank Warren, my expromoter. Maybe a little complacency crept in subconsciously. I was lethargic,” Hatton said.
“But that was just the kick up the backside I needed. I’m confident you’ll see the real Ricky Hatton against Urango – and in every fight after that. I want to be busy again. I want two or three fights a year till I achieve everything I can in boxing.”
