Mexican fighter Juan Lazcano is the next opponent for England’s Ricky Hatton.

The eagerly awaited return of Manchester's Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton has reportedly resulted in an almost completely sold out Manchester City stadium - capacity 55,000. Less than 5,000 tickets remain, with just over 2 weeks to go until the first bell. The 29-year-old Hatton faces the world class Juan Lazcano, the former WBC lightweight title challenger, on May 24th, 2008 - A bout that will contest the lightly regarded
IBO 140 pound championship.

Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KOs) is back up off the floor after getting knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr and is making his return to the ring back home in Manchester against Juan Lazcano (37-4, 27 KOs) on 24 May.

Tens of thousands of fans flock to Las Vegas to see Hatton put up a brave but ultimately unsuccessful challenge to Floyd Mayweather in December. Now Hatton, has announced that this fight is one for his UK fans. Hatton turned down a series of big money offers, like 1 million Pound from US TV networks to schedule the fight for the morning to suit American viewers or an extra 20,000 seats from Wembley Stadium to move the fight to London.

Hatton reiterated that he was relishing the opportunity to fight again in front of his home-town fans and prove to his doubters that he has plenty left to offer.

Hatton had always stated his first post-Mayweather fight would take place back on home soil and he will take a pay cut to keep his word with no live pay-per-view broadcast planned for the United States.

But having recently signed up with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy organisation, the US remains very much on Hatton's agenda and he will expect to return if all goes to plan against Lazcano.

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