Hatton wants to fight bigger names

A flurry of Hatton punches forced the referee to stop Pedersen taking more punishment in a one-sided contest.

Pedersen, who was a last-minute opponent, was floored twice in the fourth round as Hatton dominated.

The Dane just managed to beat two nine counts after fierce left hooks to the body, but he could only delay defeat.

Going into the contest amid speculation over his fitness and a last-minute change of opponent, Hatton's build-up had been far from ideal.

But, in front of a partisan crowd in his home city of Manchester, Hatton produced a clinical display to force the challenger on to the back foot.

And his trademark body shots soon had Pedersen in trouble.

I thought we got a good opponent, he was very durable Ricky Hatton

The end came when a crunching upper-cut rocked Pedersen's head and a swift combination followed.

Hatton admitted he was relieved to have won, admitting he had been concerned the fight would not even take place.

He said: "I'm glad to see the back of that - I thought someone was playing an April fool's joke on me.

"There was a possibility that the show might have been cancelled because at 48 hours who can you get?

"But I thought we got a good opponent, he was very durable.

And with one eye on the future, Hatton added: "I think I show with each performance that I'm ready for a big fight.

"It's just a question of making the right moves at the right time."