Hatton Still Searching for an Opponent

When Ricky Hatton defeated Kostya Tszyu on June 4, 2005, he immediately joined the ranks of the top ten pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Being considered one of the sport's elite usually translates into "big money" fights ... so where are all the "big money" fights for Hatton? Since upsetting Tszyu, Hatton has only fought once -- a ninth round stoppage of Carlos Maussa to unify the IBF and WBA titles. Big money matches could be made with Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Jose Luis Castillo, Zab Judah or in a rematch with Tsyzu ... yet - for one reason or another - none of those are even being discussed. Hatton is slated to fight someone on May 13 ... the question remains who? Here is the underwhelming line-up of rumored opponents for Hatton's upcoming title defense:

Mike Arnaoutis
Emmanuel Augustus
Naoufel Ben Rabah
Luis Collazo
Vivian Harris
Kendall Holt
Stevie Johnston
Lovemore Ndou

All competent, top twenty junior welterweights ... just not what fight fans had in mind for one of the most talented and exciting fighters in the sport today.