Ricky Hatton is closing in on a showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer says talks with both parties are going well – despite Floyd Mayweather Jr’s attempts to hijack the deal.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum says he is hopeful of a deal being made, while Hatton appears happy to take on the Filipino following his stunning win over Oscar De La Hoya earlier this month.
And Schaefer is confident the fight will be finalised sooner rather than later – with May 2, 2009, being touted as the date.
“I’m encouraged by the way it’s going, and I’m talking to the Hattons (on Friday) again,” he said.
“You really have two of the most popular fighters of their generation fighting each other, and that’s the kind of fight we want to make.”
Following Hatton is known to want a rematch Mayweather Jr, the only man to beat him in 46 professional contests.
But with the Pretty Boy retiring after their fight 12 months ago, he is likely to want a tune-up bout before going in with either the Hitman, or Pacquiao.
That would pave the way for the pair to face-off in what could be an unofficial eliminator next summer.
Hatton has promised to stage one more megafight in Britain before hanging up his gloves, but Schaefer wants to see any match with Pacquiao take place in Las Vegas.
“This is a fight with tremendous global appeal, and both of them have built up a very strong following here,” he said.
“With Manny’s following in Asia and Ricky’s support in Europe, you could say Las Vegas is the centre of everything.”
