sports mania

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao wants British ring icon Ricky Hatton for his next fight in November 2008.

That dream megabuck bout, however, is dependent on Pacquiao emerging victorious in his June 28 showdown with Mexican-American David Diaz for the latter’s World Boxing Council crown in Las Vegas, Nevada.Though, Hatton is a natural light welterweight (140 lb), Pacquiao, who started his professional career at 112 lb, believes the weight difference won’t really matter.

Pacquiao explained that he tipped the scales at 145 lb when he bested Marquez in their rematch, also held in Las Vegas, and is used to sparring with fighters who weigh between 140 lb and 150 lb.

Actually, Hatton has been on Pacquiao’s radar ever since Manchester’s finest was beaten by Floyd Mayweather Jr. last December.

Hatton’s father, Ray, confirmed that Pacquiao indeed approached them after the Mayweather fight and that they are still considering the Filipino lefty’s (fight) proposal.

“Pacquiao’s big at his weight and it would be a wonderful fight,” the elder Hatton told Sporting

Life.

“They’ve just about got the two biggest followings in the world—where would you stage a fight like that?”

Even before his showdown with Marquez, however, Top Rank chief honcho and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum broached the idea of staging Pacquiao-Hatton either in Dubai, United Arab Emirates or Las Vegas in November.There may be a hitch, though, as Hatton—who is fresh off his victory over Juan Lazcano last month—is also keen on battling Italian-American Paulie Malignaggi in November.