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Set for the States?

Gavin Browne
16/11/2005

RICKY Hatton has warned his fans they may have seen the back of him in the UK for a while after his fight with Carlos Maussa on November 26.

Victory against the Colombian at Sheffield's Hallam FM Arena will see the Hitman add the WBA light-welterweight belt to the IBF and WBU crowns he already holds.

That will then put him in prime position for fights against the division's other stars such as Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

In the first of a two-part interview with the Advertiser, Hatton admitted he was unhappy that his fall-out with Frank Warren prevented a British farewell at his spiritual home of Manchester's MEN Arena.

He said: "The MEN has been a bit of a fortress, but even though the majority of the fights are going to be in America in the future, I'm still sure I can come over and slip in another fight.

"Fights in the States are things I've dreamed of and I'm sure the fans will understand my reasons for taking them."

Hatton also found time to warn Warren that if the pair do have to deal again, it will be on his terms.

Warren had claimed that by signing WBA challenger, Frenchman Souleymane M'Baye, the Hatton camp would have to deal with him again having just done their all to leave him.

However, Hatton countered: "Kostya Tszyu never lost the WBA title in the ring and was elevated to 'super champion'. Because I beat Kostya, they're claiming the winner will be the WBA's super champion, which means the WBA title will go vacant.

"The super champion doesn't have to make a mandatory defence for two years.

"Frank's turned round and said he will have to work with me, but if I do work with him, it will be in a couple of years."

• NEXT week, Hatton's thoughts on why Maussa deserves more credit than he has received.