Hatton still wants JLC in June

[El Gamo]

Ricky Hatton’s promoter, Dennis Hobson, tells the UK Times Online that he is confident of reaching a deal that will allow Hatton to keep his IBF junior welterweight title and moved forward with his bout against José Luis Castillo in June, in Las Vegas

Originally, the IBF had said that Hatton would face the winner of the N'dou-Rabah bout within 90-days, and then face Castillo in November, but that plan has quickly changed.

Hobson said that regardless of what the IBF decides to do, Hatton will move forward against Castillo in June. Should the IBF strip Hatton, he will then defend the lightly regarded IBO title, and his status of being recognized the junior welterweight champion by The Ring magazine.

[1-hit Wonder]

So is he taking Castillo or not, he seems to be changing his mind every day. Wish he'd just relinquish the title and get on with fighting Castillo in June. If he doesn't he'll definately lose me as a fan

[yoitsdan]

I saw an interview on Sky Sports news this morning, he was having his usual shit shirt competition, and he clearly said he will fight Castillo in June, belt or no belt, leading on to fights at welterweight if Mayweather or Cotto are available.

[Memphis]

You think anyone will come out and say "sorry for slating Rick over the past few days, turns out I was wrong"

Or will we just move forwards on the hunt for the next stick to beat him with?

[Preme]

ayem credit where it is due, it seems they said what they said to keep the belt to have more time to work something out... but time will tell

[Greig]

If that was the case, then N'dou/Rabah was supposed to be for the vacant IBF belt. Why would Secondsout.com be reporting that 'Dennis Hobson contacted IBF Chairman Murian Muhammad and said Ricky would be delighted to defend the IBF belt against his mandatory in June'...


Whatever happens, I'll go on the record and say this:


Dennis Hobson is a fucking clown.

[jbirdy]

i need to wait to hear somehting official cos i hear one thing of one source and then another from someone else. we need to play the waiting game

[Greig]

Ahhh, waiting game sux - let's play Hungry Hungry Hippos!!!!!

[jbirdy]

sorry greig, looks like the waiting game it is mate. for a few days at least anyway,

John Rawling
Monday February 5, 2007
The Guardian


Ricky Hatton looks set to relinquish the IBF title he won last month against Juan Urango in order to next face the Mexican Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas, instead of the South Africa-born Lovemore N'Dou, who became mandatory challenger yesterday by winning an IBF final eliminator in Sydney when his opponent, Naoufel Ben Rabah, retired in the 12th round.
Hatton-Castillo had already been put in the schedules of the American television network HBO in June, but the IBF has made it clear it will strip Hatton of his belt if he chooses not to first face N'Dou because federation rules do not allow him to make a voluntary defence at this stage. It seems unlikely HBO would be prepared to delay a Castillo contest until November.
Hatton's British promoter Dennis Hobson said last night that the Castillo fight was what Hatton wanted. "We hope to have this resolved in the next few days," he said. "We will be speaking to N'Dou's people this week to discuss exactly what our options are. I would personally rather do the Castillo fight."

[ICB]

Although it has been widely reported that Team Hatton has apparently committed to the IBF that Ricky Hatton will fight IBF mandatory challenger Lovemore Ndou in his next bout, "The Hitman" himself doesn't sould like he's on board with that plan. "The Castillo will go ahead 100% in June and is going to be in Las Vegas," Hatton told Sky Sports. "It is up to my promotional team to sort out with the IBF what is going to happen, but if I am going to have to vacate the belt, sadly that is what I will have to do."

[ono]

You think anyone will come out and say "sorry for slating Rick over the past few days, turns out I was wrong"

Or will we just move forwards on the hunt for the next stick to beat him with?

CC mate i was about to say the same thing.

So many poeple are so fast to jump on him without actually hearing Hatton actually speak.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I wholeheartedly agree, anyone who has ever bore witness to any random Hatton interview will kow that Ricky has always wantd the big fights and has called out numerous fighters (notably Cotto, Mayweather, Judah and Gatti.) And still people accuse him of ducking, if i were a "coward" trying to protect a "fabricated" unbeaten record I personally would not be calling out Mayweather or Cotto!!!!