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Witter targets Hatton bout

19/12/2007

WBC light welterweight world champion Junior Witter says he would relish the chance to face Ricky Hatton next year.

Witter has chased a fight against the Hitman for many years and believes that the time has come for the Mancunian to enter the ring with him.

The Bradford-born fighter says he is not motivated by money and merely wants the chance to prove himself against Hatton.

Witter's promoter Mick Hennessy said: "All Junior wants is the opportunity to prove that he is the best light-welterweight in the world.

"If Ricky can continue to bring the same level of profile and support, we won't be greedy and we would be happy for him to take the lion's share of the purse."

Hatton recently lost to Floyd Mayweather at welterweight and following that defeat suggested he would look to move back down to light welterweight where Witter is awaiting.

Both men have also mentioned the possibility of taking on IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi so a fight between the British pair could have to wait.

However Hennessey claims Witter is happy to take on Hatton any time the 29-year-old wants to make the fight.

He said: "We'd fight him anywhere he wanted. Junior's got no mandatory commitments coming up so May would be perfect for him. If Ricky's people are serious about making the fight we can get it done."

Ray Hatton, Ricky's father and manager, earlier today claimed the former welterweight champion would only fight twice next year, thus reducing Witter's chances of securing the fight he covets.