Hatton fight set for green light

Ricky Hatton is “99% certain” to fight Manny Pacquiao in May after the Filipino superstar finally signed a contract for the showdown.

Hatton’s lawyer Gareth Williams said today he expects a copy of the contract to arrive for the light-welterweight world champion to sign early next week before officially confirming the fight.

The development follows weeks of uncertainty after it emerged Pacquiao wanted to renegotiate financial terms despite having agreed a 50-50 split before Christmas.

But Pacquiao, currently the world’s leading fighter, has now agreed to share the proceeds equally with Hatton, and Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer, negotiating on the Mancunian’s behalf, has received a signed contract from the Filipino.