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Boxing

Hatton relinquishes WBA welterweight belt

31/08/2006

Ricky Hatton has today relinquished his WBA welterweight belt as he looks to revert back down to the 140lbs division.

Manchester's Hitman claimed the welterweight title by beating American fighter Luis Collazo in Boston on May 13th.

He has announced his intention to return to the light-welterweight division, the weight he believes boasts the best fighters in boxing.

Hatton is due to challenge for his former belt, the IBF title, when he takes on Colombian Juan Urango in Atlanta on December 9th and, providing he wins that, he should then land a super-fight against Jose Luis Castillo early next year.

Dennis Hobson, Hatton's promoter, said: "We are going after Ricky's old title and although we don't want to pre-empt things, the defining fight we want is the one against Castillo.

"We have already opened talks with Castillo's promoter Bob Arum and we are confident we can make that fight for around April time. Ricky is in a very lucrative position at the moment."

Hatton's decision to move up a division was questioned by some but Hobson added: "Ricky just wants to be involved in defining fights.

"There are a whole host of defining fights opening up for him down there and that is why we have made the decision to relinquish."

Hatton, 27, boasts an unbeaten record, having won all 41 professional bouts, with 30 coming inside the distance.

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