According to an article I read in the MEN today. The shortlist does not include Witter which we knew already, but is thought to include Malignaggi and Torres. Don't know about the other two... http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/boxing/s/1034676_rickys_back_for_a_big_scalp
I would advise him to take the Rees fight if I was his manager. He has just been beaten badly and needs a low risk confidence builder and a belt. He can then move onto a bigger challenge. Taking another fight that he has any chance of losing would be a big mistake next.:good
But maybe he realises he has only two to three years left and thats why he hisn't taking the rees fight.
I would love to see Hatton fight Witter at some point but untill then Malignaggi would be a very decent opponent. He is not as bad as people are currently making out and the event would be very well recieved stateside. A match up vs Torres would be entertaining and for a valid belt. Has the possibilty of Ree's been the opponent been dispelled yet? Hatton is in a different class but it would be a good warm up after his defeat, just to get him into a winning mode again and it would be easy to put on in England. Juan Diaz would be better than anyone but I am not sure it will come off. Diaz seems happy at Lightweight for a couple more fights but it would get the American tv bosses salivating and good money offers would tempt both guys. I do not know too many less obvious names who are looking for a fight at that time but maybe Kendall Holt who still fights a good game and is American may pop up at some point. Kotelink would be very unlikely but decent opposition to get Hatton back into winning ways, not very marketable though. I can not see too many Brit fighters evan being considered for the postion but Ajose is well placed by the WBC and will fight anyone anytime. What odds Zahir Raheem. To be honest the list can only ever be of the four choice fighters (excluding Witter) and any of those guys would be good to watch.