Big names chase Hatton Corrales wants Hatton in Cardiff

On Tuesday, WBO champion Cotto's father Evangelista told BBC Sport his son could fight Hatton next year.

"Hatton fought smart against Kostya Tszyu and he's a good young boxer," the Puerto Rican, 26, said on Wednesday.

"I would be patient and look for my shots. To keep him off balance I would mix it up by staying back some and then being aggressive at other times."

Cotto, who predicted Tszyu would easily prevail at Manchester's MEN Arena, also admitted he was surprised by Hatton's performance.

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Hatton is in high demand after his defeat of Kostya Tszyu last Sunday and a meeting with WBC and WBO lightweight champion Diego Corrales later this year is already being discussed.

However, WBC champion Arturo Gatti and WBA title-holder Vivian Harris have also called Hatton out and Cotto is seen by many as a genuine long-term challenger for the undisputed crown.

Although contractual obligations currently prevent Cotto from meeting Hatton, it is thought that promoters will eventually be able to organise a fight.

Cotto will defend his belt for the third time against Mohamad Abdullaev at New York's Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday.

Although Cotto has won all 23 of his professional fights, he will be out for revenge against the 31-year-old Uzbek, the last man to beat him at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.