Promoter downplays Battle of Britain bout, warning Hatton isn’t fit to face his new champ Khan

Promoter: Hatton isn’t up to fighting champ Khan

MANCHESTER, England — With Amir Khan now a world champion, many English boxing fans will be hoping to see him in the ring with Ricky Hatton.

Though the 22-year-old Khan’s trainer is enthusiastic about a Battle of Britain bout, promoter Frank Warren has strong reservations.

Hatton’s future in the sport has been in doubt since he was knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in the second round of their 140-pound title fight in May and he went to the hospital for a precautionary brain scan.

Hatton, who has been known for quickly putting on weight after fights, has returned to a hospital in his native Manchester in the past week with a stomach bug.

Warren insists that the 30-year-old Hatton is not up to fighting Khan, who captured the WBA light-welterweight title by unanimous decision against Andreas Kotelnik on Saturday.

“Ricky shouldn’t be fighting — it’s not good for boxing and it’s not good for him more importantly,” Warren said on Sunday. “He’s just been in hospital for overindulgence or whatever that may be.

“I don’t think he should fight again, he should definitely retire. If the fight happened and, God forbidden, something bad happens, everyone would blame boxing. Sometimes fighters go on and at the end of the day bad things happen.”

Trainer Freddie Roach, whose strict regime has turned around Khan’s fortunes since he was knocked out in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott, is less gloomy about Hatton’s future prospects.

“If he does decide to fight again and continue his career, then he’s made for my guy,” Roach said. “I’d take that fight in a heartbeat.”

Khan is leaving the decision to his team.

“I’m a fan of Ricky Hatton and I’d like him to support me on the way to achieving what he’s achieved,” Khan said. “Boxing is a game where you have to face fighters, and for Britain it would be a huge fight.

“Let’s see what happens. I’ll leave it with Frank and Freddie and if they think it’s the right move for me to make, then I’ll do it.”

A more realistic prospect for Khan, after outclassing Kotelnik from start to finish with quick combinations and impressive footwork despite stepping up a division, is traveling to the United States.

“It’s time to go to America and fight the big names over there,” Khan said. “Now I’ll get people knocking on my door. I want to fight the likes of (Juan Manuel) Marquez, because I think my style will go up against theirs. … We’ll give it a few weeks and see where we go.”