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Hitman could face N'dou

04/02/2007

Ricky Hatton's next opponent could be veteran Lovemore N'dou after the South African became the new number one in the light-welterweight division.

N'dou, 35, recorded a 12th round technical knockout over Naoufel Ben Rabah in an elimination fight in Sydney to become the mandatory challenger for Hatton's IBF crown.

N'dou caught his opponent with a huge right hand in the closing stages of the 11th round and Ben Rabah gave up in the first second of the final round.

American referee Pete Podgorski called the fight off after asking Ben Rabah if he was able to continue.

After 11 rounds, N'dou was ahead on the judges' scorecards by one point on two cards and two points on the third.

But Hatton has dreams of fighting legendary Mexican Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas this summer.

If Hatton snubs N'dou in favour of a lucrative bout with Castillo, the IBF have warned they will strip the Manchester-born fighter of his title.

Hatton regained his IBF title with a gruelling points win over Colombia's Juan Urango in Las Vegas earlier this month.

N'dou lost to WBC light welterweight world champion Junior Witter in a Commonwealth title challenge in February 2005.

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