Hatton Ordered To Face Ndou-Rabah Winner


By Mark Vester

It was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald that undefeated Ricky "Hitman" Hatton has been ordered by the IBF to defend his junior welterweight title against the winner of Sunday's IBF title elimination bout between Lovemore Ndou (44- and Naoufel Ben Rabah (24-2) at the State Sports Centre at Homebush Bay, Australia.

The IBF told Hatton that he must make a defense against the winner of Ndou-Rabah within 90-days. Hatton is already committed to a very anticipated June bout with Mexico's Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas.

Hatton will likely seek permission from the IBF to defend the title against Castillo, with the winner of Ndou-Rabah facing the winner. Both Ndou and Rabah were upset with the fact that Hatton was able to land an immediate shot at Urango, because they were the top two contenders in the rankings and Hatton was ranked at number 6 by the IBF when he dropped back down in weight to 140-pounds. The camps of both fighters have said that they will push for a bout with Hatton.

The worst case scenario has Hatton dropping the title to move forward with Castillo, a kery fight for Hatton's conquest of America.

I really don't want to see another title vacated! >

I hope they give him permission to fight Castillo. But if it gets vacated it's just further evidence at the state of boxing at the minute. Too many titles, the rankings are a joke. Rabah got beat by the man Hatton just dismissed, yet he may become mandatory to the title. Witter and M'Baye are better than them!