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Unification hopes remain in the air

5/ 1/2005

CONFUSION still reigns as to whether Ricky Hatton will secure his career-defining shot at light-welterweight king Kostya Tszyu later this year.

Despite respective promoters Frank Warren and Vlad Wharton claiming terms have been agreed for a fight in Manchester, Tszyu's manager Matt Watt claims Hatton is merely one option they are looking at.

That sentiment has been echoed by Tszyu on his official website.

He said: "There have been many statements by others over the last few weeks that I have agreed to fight Ricky Hatton or even Oscar De La Hoya next.

"The truth is I have not signed any contracts or made any decision on when, where and against whom my next fight will be. I am working through the alternatives with my management."

Warren also muddied the waters at the weekend by claiming that American television company Showtime - paymasters of Hatton and Tszyu - had given the Australian-based Russian until January 2 to take the fight or risk being out of action until October.

Nobody from Hatton's promoters Sports Network was available for comment as the Advertiser went to press.