2009 Schedule Filling Out ...

Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton is getting closer to becoming a reality. A May 2 pay-per-view date in Las Vegas, with Hatton defending his 140-pound title, looks likely.

Juan Manuel Marquez will defend his lightweight title against former champ Juan Diaz on an HBO card from Houston on Feb. 28.

The winners of Pacquiao-Hatton and Marquez-Diaz could meet later in the year. Alternatively, Pacquiao - if he gets past Hatton - could have the star power to lure Floyd Mayweather out of retirement for a mega payday.

Heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko may make his next defense against unbeaten Chris Arreola in either April or May. A win for Klitschko would likely lead to a bout with IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin later in the year.

Vitali Klitschko's 2009 is beginning to shape up as well. Wladimir's older brother is likely to face mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Gomez and then - assuming he wins and remains healthy - defend against former champ Oleg Maskaev.

Former cruiserweight champ David Haye also looms as a potential opponent for either Klitschko.

For more fights slated for 2009, check out our full schedule of upcoming bouts.