Dmac
04-15-2006, 04:46 PM
Ricky Hatton has confirmed that he will give up his IBF light welterweight title in order to step up a division to fight American Luis Collazo on 13 May. Hatton has rejected a fight with the IBF's mandatory challenger Naoufel Ben Rabah in favour of a crack at the WBA welterweight title.
The 27-year-old had won the IBF belt by beating Kostya Tszyu last summer. Hatton had said earlier this week that he hoped that by beating Collazo in Boston in May it would open the door to even bigger fights at 147lb. Rabah, an Australian-based Tunisian, won an IBF eliminator last September against Mexico's Arturo Morua but will now face another opponent for the vacant title.
The 27-year-old had won the IBF belt by beating Kostya Tszyu last summer. Hatton had said earlier this week that he hoped that by beating Collazo in Boston in May it would open the door to even bigger fights at 147lb. Rabah, an Australian-based Tunisian, won an IBF eliminator last September against Mexico's Arturo Morua but will now face another opponent for the vacant title.