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Top of the world

Gavin Browne
8/ 6/2005

RICKY Hatton is being lined up for a Stateside defence of the IBF light-welterweight title he thrillingly captured from Kostya Tszyu at the MEN Arena.

Hatton produced one of the finest displays seen by a British boxer to force Tszyu's trainer Johnny Lewis to retire the Australian-based Russian early on Sunday morning.

American promoters are now chasing the Hitman for multi-million pound bouts in Las Vegas and Madison Square Garden against the likes of Diego Corrales, Miguel Cotto, Arturo Gatti and Floyd Mayweather.

However, Hatton's promoter Frank Warren said his charge would take 'a long, long break' before returning to the ring.

He said: "A lot of people are trying to make fights but he's going to have a long, long break. He's beaten the guy ranked in the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

"He beat the man nobody else at the top of the division had beaten and Ricky Hatton is now the man in that division."

Although his face showed evidence of several Tszyu punches, Hatton said he expected to take some punishment if he wanted to win. It was worth it though when the Hitman was told Tszyu had retired with a suspected broken jaw, sending Hatton into tears.

Hatton said: "Billy (Graham, trainer) said 'you need this last round to make sure' and asked if I had it in me. I said 'too right I have' and told Bobby (Rimmer, Graham's assistant) to pour some water on me. Then Billy said 'he's not coming out' and then I nearly shot my bolt!

"The one thing that's hurt me in my career is people saying I don't want to fight certain people or come out of Manchester but I'll fight anybody anywhere."

Trainer Billy Graham added: "I always knew he could do it. I said a few years ago he was going to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters to come out of this country.

"As time goes on he's going to be the best to come out of this country. He won't be happy with anything short of being the undisputed champion."