Ricky Hatton is willing to sacrifice his dream of fighting in front of 100,000 fans at Wembley, in order to secure a showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
The Mancunian light-welterweight hoped to take on the brilliant Filipino, recognised as the world’s best fighter, on home turf in front of a huge crowd in the capital next May.
While selling out the football stadium would be relatively assured, fighting outside America presents logistical problems in the shape of broadcasting issues across the Atlantic.
The pair look increasingly likely to meet in the ring – talks are ongoing with Pacquiao’s camp while a Hatton rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr remains as unlikely as ever – but the Briton’s lawyer, Gareth Williams, accepts American television requirements could ensure the fight will be staged in the United States.
“It is going to come down to lots of external factors.
“One of the major factors is American television. We’re going to have to sit down and talk to them about where they want the fight to be.
“In an ideal world, we would want the fight to be in the UK. But if financially it doesn’t make sense, then it won’t be.”
Hatton’s promotional partners Golden Boy Promotions are handling negotiations with Pacquiao’s team.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum said this week: “We are in negotiations with the Hatton people, and I think we’re moving closer.
“I can assure you it will not be at Wembley.”
Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer is upbeat about the chances of the fight being made.
“I’m encouraged by the way it’s going – and I’m talking to the Hattons,” he told Sky Sports.
“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.”
Hatton’s lawyer Williams claimed this week they had been approached by Mayweather about a rematch of their December 2007 fight, in which the American stopped the Englishman in the 10th round – before later announcing his retirement.
Hatton, 30, has craved another shot at Mayweather ever since – but a rematch has always seemed highly unlikely. Instead, the Mancunian is likely to face a fight with Mayweather over who gets to meet Pacquiao first.
