Hatton: recognition is far more important than titles

RICKY HATTON insists recognition is more important than alphabet titles after shrugging off the fact Saturday’s showdown with Paulie Malignaggi will not be for the IBF light-welterweight belt.

The 30-year-old Mancunian has twice held the International Boxing Federation title and has twice given it back to avoid making meaningless mandatory defences.

Lovemore N’Dou won the belt when Hatton last vacated it, before losing the title to Malignaggi.