Ricky Hatton has admitted he was pleased to have gone a few rounds before beating durable Russian Mikhail Krivolapov in Manchester.

The 23-year-old retained his World Boxing Union light-welterweight title with a ninth round stoppage and said that the tougher-than-expected fight was what he needed.

"I think this was the sort of opponent I needed to bring me down-to-earth," Hatton said in his dressing room.

"It was a good performance but I know that I will get better than this as well."

When Hatton was informed that he had thrown nearly 500 punches at a success rate of 49%, he answered with a smile "that's not enough!"

With a world title shot at Australian Kostya Tszyu still some way off, Hatton is focusing on a potential domestic challenge.

"Eamonn Magee put on a good performance tonight (beating Jon Thaxton in six rounds) and that makes a fight with him a possibility."

Hatton's promoter Frank Warren confirmed that a Magee-Hatton fight is something he is considering.

"I'd like to see that fight," said Warren.

"My objective is keep Ricky busy - the reality is that Kostya Tszyu has two fights lined up already," Warren added, in reference to a potential Tszyu-Hatton fight.