Quote Originally Posted by Chipper
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!

You obviously didn't see the fight between Juan Urango and Naoufel Ben Rabah. Don't just look at boxrec results and assume that the fight went the way it was scored. Urango was throughly outclassed by Rabah and everyone in the building no who truly won that fight. Juan Urango plodded around the ring trying to hit Rabah with a big shot and Rabah picked him off all night. Juan Urango is a one dimensional fighter who can be beaten by anyone who can move around the ring, hes not a true challenge to anyone. As much as I would like to see Castillo vs. Hatton I would like to see Rabah get his chance seeing as he was robbed of it in the first place.