Hatton is desperate to get a shot at a major title

Arum's revelation comes after IBF champion Kostya Tszyu denied he has agreed to fight Hatton next spring.

"It's ludicrous fighters won't go to the other guy's hometown," said Arum.

"I wouldn't hesitate in putting Cotto in with the biggest names right now - and that includes Tszyu, Arturo Gatti, Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton."

Cotto puts on boxing masterclass

Cotto, 24, looked impressive in beating former champion Randall Bailey on the same night the "Hitman" beat Ray Oliveira in London.

Meanwhile, WBC champion Gatti and former lightweight king Mayweather look set to meet in 2005, and Tszyu has stated he wants to fight both.

Tszyu, 35, told Fox Sports: "I am not fighting Hatton in Manchester any time soon.

I've done a deal with the Showtime network and the fight is on Ricky Hatton's promoter Frank Warren

"I want to fight them both. They mean a lot more on the world scene than Ricky Hatton.

"But I promised my family I would not be training over Christmas, so I will certainly not be fighting again by March."

But Warren, who is Hatton's promoter, told BBC Radio Five Live: "We have an agreement and the fight is on.

"Maybe Kostya is trying to get a little bit more money from his promoter Vlad Wharton. I don't know, but I can assure you this fight will happen.

"I've done a deal with the Showtime network and the fight is on. It won't be in March. It will either be in April or May next year.

"I don't know where all this has come from and I haven't spoken to Kostya personally because it's not my place to do that - that's up to his promoter.

"But the deal as far as I understand it is done, as far as his promoter understands it it's done - and as far as Showtime understands, it's done.

"Showtime have the rights to Kostya. Gatti and Mayweather are both contracted to HBO TV - he can't fight them."