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Monday, 19 February 2007, 13:11 GMT

Hatton to fight Castillo in June

Jose Luis Castillo and Ricky Hatton Britain's Ricky Hatton will face former world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas on 23 June.

The pair will fight for the nominal IBO light welterweight belt but mastery of the 147lbs division is the real prize.

"You become a great fighter by fighting great fighters and Jose is one of them," said the 28-year-old Hatton.

"I am so excited about this fight and I am living my dreams by topping the bill in Las Vegas again. This fight does not need anyone to sell it."

The much-anticipated contest will be staged at the 17,000-capacity Thomas and Mack Center.

"A lot has been said about our last performances but when you are involved in so many big fights you raise your game for a challenge - and this is a challenge"
Ricky Hatton

"When I beat Kostya Tszyu I beat one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and Jose undoubtedly falls into that category as well," said Hatton.

"I am not going to take a backward step and neither will Jose."

Both men will also want to impress after disappointing displays on the same bill in Las Vegas last month.

Castillo, a 33-year-old Mexican, was sluggish in a split decision win over Cameroon's Hernan Ngoudjo, before Hatton laboured to a points win over Colombian Juan Urango.

"A lot has been said about our last performances but when you are involved in so many big fights you raise your game for a challenge - and this is a challenge to say the least," added Hatton.

The popular Mancunian claimed the IBF version of the light welterweight title with that win but boxing politics forced him to give up the belt in order to fight Castillo.




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Related to this story:

Hatton chooses Castillo over belt (10 Feb 07 |  Boxing )
Sugar tips Hatton over Mayweather (06 Feb 07 |  Boxing )
Witter hands out Hatton ultimatum (06 Feb 07 |  Boxing )
Mayweather savages 'fat' Hatton (05 Feb 07 |  Boxing )
Hatton faced with losing IBF belt (31 Jan 07 |  Boxing )
Hatton insists he can do better (29 Jan 07 |  Boxing )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Ricky Hatton
International Boxing Federation
International Boxing Organization
Thomas and Mack Center
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