Hatton targets British hat-trick against Malignaggi

By Kieran Mulvaney

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - IBO light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton will bid to complete a rousing hat-trick of British victories this month when he defends his title against Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand on Saturday.

Joe Calzaghe dominated American Roy Jones Jr. in a light-heavyweight bout in New York on November 8, eight days before former world cruiserweight champion David Haye launched his heavyweight career by stopping Monte Barrett in London.

"I'd put Joe pound-for-pound best in the world right now, along with Manny Pacquiao," Hatton told reporters in the build-up to his 46th fight. "I think he was just exceptional.

"The heavyweight division is right open for someone like David to become champion. I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but I think he can do it."

Britain's former WBC lightweight champion Jim Watt has relished watching British boxers rule the roost in recent weeks.

"It's nice when we have Ricky dominating one division -- although that's coming to an end -- and Joe dominating another division," Watt told Reuters. "It's not bad when you can say that about British fighters."

Richard Schaefer, chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions, which is promoting Hatton's bout with American Malignaggi, believes Britain has become a pivotal base for the sport.

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