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Hatton admits Castillo fight interest

26/08/2006

Ricky Hatton's promoter has admitted the Manchester-born fighter is interested in fighting Jose Luis Castillo next year.

The Mexican yesterday escaped a ban from boxing in Nevada after failing to make the weight for his bout with Diego Corrales in June and was instead fined $250,000 (£140,000).

With this news, and Castillo's inability to fight at 135lbs when he re-applies for his license in January, Hatton's promoter admitted the possibility of meeting the Mexican at light-welterweight is something which is definitely in his sights.

"We're happy that Castillo won't be out of action because we'd love to make the fight happen," Dennis Hobson said.

"We've already had good talks with Bob Arum (Castillo's promoter) about making a Hatton versus Castillo super-fight (at 140lbs) for March or April and that's a fight Ricky is relishing."

Hatton's next fight is due to be against IBF light welterweight champion Juan Urango in Atlanta in December and the addition of a belt to a potential Hatton versus Castillo clash would make it an even more attractive prospect.

Castillo's first fight with Corrales was seen as one of the greatest bouts of all-time and the fact he failed to make the weight for the third encounter in June upset many people in the boxing world.

Therefore, Hobson insists that Castillo can make it up to those people by accepting a match against Hatton.

"Me and Ricky were as gutted as anyone that the fight got cancelled at the last minute but I think Castillo's paid the price by getting fined and should be allowed to move on in his career," Hobson added.

"The best way for Castillo to make it up to boxing fans would be for him to put on another fantastic fight and the most exciting match out there for him is against Ricky Hatton."

If the fight was to go ahead, both boxers would be set for million-dollar paychecks.

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