IronBull
06-24-2007, 09:42 PM
Ricky Hatton is targeting a meeting with Floyd Mayweather after his stunning win over Jose Luis Castillo.
The Manchester fighter says he wants to face the best after stopping Castillo in round four with a savage body punch.
"I think that win and the manner in which I did it sets possible fights up with the likes of Mayweather," he said.
"I want to be fighting world champions and the best pound for pound fighters in the world. The bigger the challenge, the better I am."
Hatton's record of 43 unbeaten fights speaks for itself, but he said he felt under pressure to put on a show against Castillo.
"When you talk about Mayweather and De la Hoya and people like that I needed a performance like that to put myself in the shop window," he said.
"That was more like the old Ricky Hatton that people come to see."
He also revealed that De la Hoya had contacted him after his victory and talked of getting it on in England.
"Oscar phoned me up and congratulated me. He mentioned that he's done so much in his career and he would love to come and fight me in England.
"Oscar said everyone thinks you're just a slugger but you're a lot more than that and you showed it tonight. When someone like Oscar says that to you it makes you very proud."
BBC - [Only registered and activated users can see links]
The Manchester fighter says he wants to face the best after stopping Castillo in round four with a savage body punch.
"I think that win and the manner in which I did it sets possible fights up with the likes of Mayweather," he said.
"I want to be fighting world champions and the best pound for pound fighters in the world. The bigger the challenge, the better I am."
Hatton's record of 43 unbeaten fights speaks for itself, but he said he felt under pressure to put on a show against Castillo.
"When you talk about Mayweather and De la Hoya and people like that I needed a performance like that to put myself in the shop window," he said.
"That was more like the old Ricky Hatton that people come to see."
He also revealed that De la Hoya had contacted him after his victory and talked of getting it on in England.
"Oscar phoned me up and congratulated me. He mentioned that he's done so much in his career and he would love to come and fight me in England.
"Oscar said everyone thinks you're just a slugger but you're a lot more than that and you showed it tonight. When someone like Oscar says that to you it makes you very proud."
BBC - [Only registered and activated users can see links]