Boxing: Oscar De La Hoya has reiterated his interest in fighting Ricky Hatton in England next year.
De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions helped put on Hatton's fight against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas on Saturday night which ended in a 10th-round knockout for the Manchester fighter, is now keen to take on the 'Hitman' despite his setback.
The American fighter said: "Let's enjoy the holidays and then see if we can make 147lbs, which I'm sure we can, and then take it from there.
"The reason why it would be viable is because of (Hatton's) style. It would be a clash of the titans. Obviously you can't rule anything out. All options are open but first we will absorb what happened here."
Hatton's domestic rival, WBC light-welterweight champion Junior Witter, believes now is the time to agree upon a long-awaited showdown.
"It is time for the British showdown to happen at the biggest venue, wherever that may be - London, Manchester or Newcastle," Witter told Sky Sports News. "He (Hatton) is still top of the tree at light-welterweight. He needs to get back in the ring as soon as possible with a good win.
"It would be (a fight between) the best light-welterweights in the world."
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard has urged Ricky Hatton to go away and carefully consider his fighting future after the defeat to Mayweather.
Leonard believes Hatton now faces the biggest test of his career as he tries to come to terms with his first defeat and return unaffected by its inevitable consequences.
Leonard said: "It's hard to come to the realisation of what happened and whether or not he could have done better. He should go and spend time with his family then get back up there if he so desires.
"It's always hard and if you start to question yourself that is the biggest obstacle you face. You start saying, 'why am I doing this?' But if you find you have the same commitment and desire you will be okay."
Leonard believed Hatton did the best he could tactically against Mayweather and simply had to concede that the five-weight world champion was just too good.
He added: "He fought the right way. It was the only way he could fight to have a chance of winning. He fought a rugged fight but he got tired, became lackadaisical and Floyd's speed caught him.
"Floyd's very effective as a puncher and the pace and tempo and holding and pushing wears you down. I think Floyd was also a little tired, but he proved he has the heart of a champion."
Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis said on BBC Radio Five Live: "The result was obviously one Ricky wouldn't have liked but Floyd is very quick and displayed his talent.
"It seemed like Floyd was doing some sort of martial art in there, it was very difficult for Hatton to get a punch off.
"I don't think Ricky has anything else to prove. It's really all up to him whether he wants to retire or not."
Barry McGuigan was critical of referee Joe Cortez for his propensity for breaking the fighters up throughout the contest, while deducting a point from Hatton.
"Joe Cortez was very biased, I thought," McGuigan told BBC Radio Five Live. "He broke them up every time. Every opportunity he got, he broke them up.
"Hatton fought tremendously bravely. I thought the whole thing, the point being deducted, being broken up - he (Cortez) never really allowed Ricky to fight his style of fight."