‘Hitman’ to head back to US despite loss of big payday after Gatti defeat

RICKY HATTON will make light of losing out on a projected super-fight against Arturo Gatti and head straight back across the Atlantic for his next contest on December 9.

Hatton had been pencilled in for a showdown with all-action Gatti before the Atlantic City favourite was stopped by Carlos Baldomir in a WBC welterweight title bid at the weekend.

Gatti’s loss leaves Oktay Urkal favourite to face Hatton next. Hatton will be stripped of his WBA welterweight crown if he does not immediately accommodate the claims of the Germany-based Turk.