Hatton has yet to lose a pro fight

Hatton beat Ghanaian Ben Tackie on an unanimous points decision after a tough fight at the MEN Arena on 13 December.

He insisted before the fight he would be ready for the likes of Kostya Tszyu, who holds the WBC, WBA and IBF crowns.

"I would expect a shot at one of the big three belts and you'd be hard-pushed to find someone who'd deny me," Hatton told this website.

"I deserve a shot at the top guys. You've got Tszyu, Zab Judah, Arturo Gatti and Sharmba Mitchell, who are considered the top four in most people's eyes.

I'm feeling as sharp as I've ever been, which is good because this is potentially my toughest fight Ricky Hatton

"There's a pack of fighters just below them like myself, so once I beat someone like Tackie then I think I would have deserved my shot at one of the champions or one of the top guys in the division."

Hatton is now at his peak and it is Frank Warren's job to make sure he gets a crack at Kosta Tyzsu From Yaz, Bingley, West Yorkshire Join the debate

Hatton insists, however, that he does not expect to have an easy time against Ghanaian Tackie, who has never been stopped in his 28-fight career.

"I'm feeling as sharp as I've ever been, which is good because this is potentially my toughest fight," said Hatton.

"The way I fight and the way he fights, I can't see it being anything other than a war."