Ricky Hatton fans must apply for tickets for the Floyd Mayweather fight via a postal ballot.


Punch Promotions have confirmed that only 3,900 tickets for the MGM Grand showdown in December have been made available for sale in the United Kingdom.


Hatton's father and manager Ray is still trying to secure more from Golden Boy Promotions, but the huge demand, plus disappointing allocation, mean British fight fans must enter the ballot.


Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy, confirmed that there have been in excess of 40,000 applications for a venue that only holds 16,000.


Hatton's solicitor, Gareth Williams, informed the promoters that Punch Promotions would purchase all of them, expecting something in the region of 10,000 to be put up for sale over here.


But Golden Boy have now confirmed that less than 4,000 will be made available for the biggest fight of Hatton's life - half the estimated number that made the trip to see his last Las Vegas victory over Jose Luis Castillo.


"This is a real shame for the fans that have supported me, not just for my last three fights in America, but indeed all of my previous fights," said Hatton.


"It means the world to me and is a great inspiration for me when I walk into the ring to see so many Brits singing and chanting my name.

"It will make me even more determined to beat Mayweather and it has shown to me having spoken to my Dad, we must fight again in England to repay all my loyal fans."


Golden Boy have said that the fight will be shown on close-circuit television at a Las Vegas venue (to be confirmed), but fans wanting to apply for tickets must write too.