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| WBA Welterweight Champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton looks certain to make his second consecutive appearance in the US on HBO on 9 December. But its still a guessing game as to whom will be in the opposite corner and whether it will be at welterweight or Hatton’s natural light welterweight division. |  Click for larger image |
Sadly for fans worldwide, its not going to be the underrated WBC Welterweight Champion Carlos Baldomir or pound for pound number one Floyd Mayweather as those two to will collide on 4 November in arguably the biggest fight of the year.
It also seems that Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto, the WBO Light Welterweight king is out of the running as he looks set to make his overdue welterweight debut on 2 December in Atlantic City.
So while a lot of the big names are unavailable, there are still some interesting alternatives for Hatton out there.
Arturo Gatti (welterweight):
While this fight a couple of years back would have been a mega-showdown, it now has considerably lost its appeal due to Gatti being thrashed by Floyd Mayweather a year ago and battered by Carlos Baldomir last time out. But because of the nature that Hatton and Gatti fight, big bucks could still be earned and an exciting war is guaranteed, but Gatti should have retired by now and fighting again would put his health seriously at risk. For Hatton, a win would not do anything for his legacy as Gatti is no longer the fighter he once was, but the TV companies are interested in this battle and money may be too good for both to refuse.
Chance of happening: average
Threat level: low
Excitement rating: excellent
Zab Judah (welterweight)
Not a very likely candidate, but an intriguing fight. Judah, when on top form, is blistering and his slick southpaw style in the mould of Luis Collazo would certainly give Hatton serious problems. Despite coming off back to back losses to Carlos Baldomir and Floyd Mayweather, the former undisputed welterweight champion Judah is still an elite fighter and would see Hatton as a way back to the top, but its very unlikely he would take such a tough fight after two losses.
Chance of happening: low
Threat level: high
Excitement rating: good
Oktay Urkal (welterweight)
Urkal is the mandatory challenger for Hatton’s WBA title and if he wants to hold on to that belt he fought so hard to win, he will have to face Urkal, but the fight has no market value except perhaps in Germany where is Urkal is still a big name. Urkal is not a big puncher with just 11 knockouts and at 36 is certainly knocking on a bit. Also, he has always fallen short at the top level, twice against Vivian Harris and Kostya Tszyu, who Hatton forced to quit after 11 rounds. Still, if Hatton wants to keep his WBA crown this is who he will have to fight but this is certainly not what the fans want.
Chance of happening: high
Threat level: low
Excitement rating: low
Juan Urango (Light welterweight)
Current holder of the IBF Light Welterweight title, Urango seems high on the agenda for landing the big fight against Hatton. But Urango’s only notable win came when capturing the title in his last fight with a controversial points victory over Naoufel Ben Rabah. Most people believe he was given a gift decision and that hardly sets the pulses racing for a defence against Hatton. If Hatton wants to return to Light welter and win a world title, this looks his best option as Junior Witter faces DeMarcus Corley for the WBC Crown and Souleyman M’baye clashes with Raul Balbi for the WBA strap. Urango is unbeaten although and does punch hard but Hatton has a huge advantage in experience and strength and will start a massive favourite. This is no career defining fight, but in the long run could lead onto bigger things.
Chance of happening: high
Threat level: low
Excitement rating: average
Luis Collazo (welterweight)
A rematch between Hatton and Collazo, in an ideal world, would be instant, seeing how close and exciting the first match was, but its very unlikely it will ever happen. It looked as if Collazo may have just nicked the decision courtesy of a huge last round where he lashed the “Hitman” with huge left hooks but Hatton held onto to win on points in his toughest fight. It looks as if team Hatton has seen this as a lucky escape and will not want to take the risk again but Hatton should leave no doubt about who won and fight Collazo again , just like Mayweather did against Castillo.
Chance of happening: low
Threat level: high
Excitement rating: high
Vivian Harris (Light welterweight)
A fight between these two was supposed to happen in Manchester a couple of years ago but Harris pulled out of the fight, electing to defend his WBA title against Oktay Urkal instead. While a contest between the two would certainly be a good one, the buzz surrounding this fight from two years ago has declined due to Harris losing his WBA crown in seventh round in a strange battle with awkward banger Carlos Maussa, who went on to be brutally knocked out by Hatton in nine rounds, five months later in Sheffield. Harris has bounced back and looked good knocking out Stevie Johnston in previous fight, although Johnston is a natural lightweight. A fight between Hatton and Harris would not need a belt as most people believe that these two are better than the actual champions.
Chance of happening: average
Threat level: average
Excitement rating: high
