Gavin Rees is the WBA light-welterweight world champion, but Hatton's people have said they won't be fighting him (to do so they would have to deal with Frank Warren apart from anything else).



David Haye has already knocked out a top 15 rated heavyweight within a round (Bonin) and had he not accepted the Maccarinelli match they had him lined up to fight Hasim Rahman, so doesn't look like they will be feather bedding him too much.

Now announced that Gavin Rees is to fight the Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik (on orders of the WBA). Kotelnik is a very decent European level fighter, although Junior Witter has already beaten him.

Was reading something earlier today that said that Hatton's next fight should be finalised by the end of next week, but there is no mention of who against only that he is hoping it will be at City of Manchester stadium.



I have also been keeping track of the press coverage that the Woods and Tarver fight is getting, this is looking like it is going to be a decent fight, this is a great quote from Woods also,

"I've always wanted him since I become world champion, I've always hated him and I can't stand the guy even more now,"



Woods is a good fighter and can take a few punches, he is also a genuinely (sp?) nice bloke, met him in Portugal a couple of years ago and had a few beers with him.

Looked average to me in the contender.



Think we'll see more of Alfonso Gomez this year.

Apparently Tarver through a Spinal Tap sized hissy fit because Woods' promoter didn't send a limo for him for the press conference, but just told him to get a taxi, and also because he wasn't given a hotel room for his "stay", which was from 9.30am to 1.30pm on the same day.



Hollywood must have gone to his head.

Carl Froch's WBC title eliminator v Dennis Inkin will be on March 29.



Particularly positive news is that the fight will be live on ITV1. There had been rumours that ITV were to give up on boxing, other than Amir Khan.

It's going to be a JR. Welterweight fight and likely to be against one of the 'top 10' fighters of that division. I've heard a rumour of Ricardo Torres and I'm sure Paul Malignaggi will be rumoured aswell (although that seems unlikely).



Just seen an interview on Hatton's site and he doesn't reveal any opponents, but he wants for his next three fights to fight at COM Stadium, top the bill at Las Vegas and then rematch with Mayweather.

I have heard that Malignaggi will be on the CoM undercard to give him more exposure to British fans, with a view to setting up a Hatton v Mallagnagi fight in America later.

I think he's kidding himself if he thinks he has a chance against PBF tbh. Still would be a good event if Mayweather agreed to it though.

Looks like Hatton (who is still IBO light-welter champion) is going to fight IBO welter champion Isaac Hlatchwayo (probably misspelled that) for his City of Manchester fight.



Decent sort of match, but rather surprised he is fighting a welter after insisting he would be dropping back to light-welter. Unless the South African can actually make 10st.

Maybe he has ambitions of some future big welterweight fights? De La Hoya? Mayweather rematch? These are the big money, big reputation fights that Hatton really wants.

He will fight some1 in his division first and then i think he'll have a re match with Mayweather over here i hope

Unless Hlatchwayo can get down to light-welter then it looks like Ricky's next fight will be at welter. The one after that won't be De La Hoya or Mayweather as they are fighting each other again in September.

As I posted further up the thread, he's looking at 2 more fights then a possible Mayweather rematch. I also read on Hatton's site that he has a 2 year 5 fight plan. I've no doubt he'll be looking at 2 or 3 massive fights in that lot. I must admit I'm surprised he's staying at Welterweight, although you can understand why he has.

I wonder how realistic the issue of Ricky looking for a rematch with Mayweather is. I mean, if an interviewer asks him "would you like a rematch" then he is going to say "yes". And then the journalist makes his headline "Hatton says - I want a rematch". But whether he really expects to get one is something I am sceptical about.

Latest reports say that Hlatchwayo will get down to Light-welter and it is Ricky's IBO title that is at stake. Apparently Hlatchwayo fought at lightweight as recently as 2004 and is small for a welterweight.

More on Hatton.... 78.110.162.82/forum/index.php?topic=1480.0

More on Hatton.... 78.110.162.82/forum/index.php?topic=1480.0

Lazcano would be a very disappointing opponent, given that he hasn't fought in 15 months and that last fight was a loss to Vivian Harris, who then was knocked out by Junior Witter in his next fight. Witter's people would have a field day, though.

Must say I'd be disappointed with Lazcano as an opponent (which is looking likely) having said that I'll still go.

Enjoyed the Pavlik vs. Taylor catchweight fight this morning. Pavlik deserved to win, but I thought it was closer than the judges scored (117-111, 116-112 and 115-113).



A crossroads for both fighters really. Taylor's camp reckons he can't make the middleweight limit anymore and is destined to step up to super-middle; Taylor certainly looked lively at the heavier weight.



As for Pavlik, he could dominate for a while. Looks like Gary Lockett is the mandatory, whilst his promoter is pushing for Felix Trinidad at MSG (possibly around the Puerto Rican Day Parade!). John Duddy is also a money spinner. I reckon Pavlik would beat all three; bit concerned that Trinidad is becoming a circus. Would be interesting for Pavlik to fight one or two of these guys then take on either Abraham for the undisputed title or ‘Winky’ Wright.

Just heard the following - not sure if its confirmed or just rumour



Oscar De La Hoya will fight Steve Forbes ( contender II runner up)

I think that Mayweather is more interested in fleecing the [url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/69341/WWE-Press-Release-On-Floyd-Mayweather-Jr.-Appearing-At-No-Way-Out.htmwrestling public these days[/url than a match up with Hatton. He comfortably beat Hatton and tbh I don't think anyone is really that interested in a re-match over in the US because it was pretty one-sided.

[size=150Mayweather vs. De La Hoya II[/size

According to boxrec.com, a rematch will take place on September 20th of 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

boxrec = the worst source of info for upcoming fights anywhere on the net.

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7253985.stmCalzaghe "better be willing to die"[/url in his fight with Hopkins.