Source Daily Mail Ricky Hatton has begun the first steps of rehabilitation from his first defeat, against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas last month, by lining up a world title fight with Welshman Gavin Rees. Hatton's stock has barely fallen since his comprehensive defeat by Mayweather in Las Vegas last month, a blockbuster which attracted record pay-per-view receipts. Now the 'Hitman' will come up against Rees, a stablemate of Britain's other blue-chip champion, Joe Calzaghe. Talks between Rees's promoter, Frank Warren, and Hatton's advisers have begun in an attempt to set up a showdown in Manchester in May. The US TV network HBO were so pleased with the interest Hatton aroused for the Mayweather fight, which attracted more than 1.2million British subscribers tuning in at 5am, that they are keen to be involved in all of his future fights. The Americans were also astonished at the massive transatlantic support of around 20,000 fans most without tickets who followed Hatton over for a contest which ended in a heartbreaking 10th-round knockout. The backing summed up a surge of British interest in the sport. Unbeaten Rees, 27, pulled off one of the shock victories of 2007 when he outpointed Frenchman Souleymane M'Baye to take the WBA light-welterweight world title six months ago and could now cash in with the biggest pay-day of his 10-year career. Hatton is currently recovering from the effects of the first defeat of his 44-fight career. Christmas saw the customary over-indulgence which has typified his 'downtime' after a big fight. He has been on safari in Africa with his family and friends, but will return to the gym next month. An insider said: "Nothing will be decided until Ricky returns from holiday but there have already been talks about him fighting Gavin Rees. Ricky will look at the options and make his own mind up." Still rated the No1 light-welterweight in the world, Hatton would start strong favourite against 5ft 3in Rees, a former featherweight who has turned his life and career around under the guidance of Calzaghe's father, Enzo. Calzaghe Snr's achievement in training three world champions his son, Rees and WBO cruiserweight king Enzo Maccarinelli last month earned him BBC Television's Coach of the Year prize to place alongside super-middleweight Joe's award as Sports Personality of the Year. Rees, a four-time Welsh schoolboy champion, had his pro-career interrupted when his licence was suspended following a criminal conviction for a drunken assault at a wake. But given a second chance under Team Calzaghe's tutelage, he boxed superbly last July to stun veteran M'Baye, who had previously lost only once in 37 fights, at Cardiff's International Arena. Even though he is now a world champion, Newbridge-based Rees is ranked No20 in the ratings. Junior Witter from Yorkshire, the WBC champion and No2-rated light-welterweight who has accused Hatton of being afraid to face him, has made no direct approach to meet his Lancashire rival. Although Hatton has expressed no interest in a showdown with Witter, that is a fight many British fans want to see. Hatton's father Ray has conceded that it may happen, possibly at the end of 2008. Witter, though, will not be Hatton's next opponent. Rees looks likely to fill that role as the British boxing boom, led by Hatton and Calzaghe, rumbles through the year.
Okay...... The only benefit Hatton has by facing Rees is that he will gain another world title, he will more than likely get a stoppage or knockout and he will regain his confidence at 'world' level. The negatives are that he has just fought one of the best fighters in the world and will essentially be dropping down to fighter who has only once proven himself capable of fighting at the top level. Gavin's chance came out of the blue and there is nothing to suggest that he has what it takes to compete with Hatton. In my opinion Hatton doesn't need warm up fights - he had enough of them under Frank 'the ****' Warren. He needs to get back to his winning ways, back to his weight division and sell out the M.E.N against Witter. I think he would batter Witter but I also think Hatton is on the slide. Hatton has been dogged by Witter for years and his rebuttals do not hold water. Come on Ricky, sign to fight Witter and prove that undoubtedley that you are the best in Britain.
Good post. Totally agree regards the warm up fights. There was at least two years when Hatton was treading water.:roll:
So one paper is saying, rees and the others are saying holt, hopkins or torres. Anyway hasn't rees got a mandotary, before he can fight hatton.
I think it could be over less time than the castillo fight. I mean it won't be that bad for rees he'll get a nice payday from it.