By Ben Dirs

Hatton last fought against Carlos Maussa in November

Ricky Hatton's next fight will take place in May at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, but he will have to wait another week to discover his opponent.

Hatton's preferred opponent is Argentina's Carlos Baldomir, who claimed the WBC welterweight crown when he upset Zab Judah last month.

American TV networks Showtime and HBO are involved in a bidding war for WBA and IBF light welterweight king Hatton.

And the date depends on which of the broadcasters secures his signature.

Baldomir, 35, is a free agent and as such could fight on either Showtime, which has screened Hatton fights before, or HBO.

Hatton will become one of the biggest stars in America over the next decade Banner president Art Pelullo

The fight will be plugged in America by Banner Promotions, which has penned a multi-fight deal with Team Hatton and Sheffield promoters Fight Academy.

"My choice would be to fight Baldomir," said Hatton. "Baldomir is the man at welterweight after beating Judah.

"I have the chance to become an undisputed double-weight world champion and there's an extremely good chance of the fight being made.

"I'm big at light welterweight so it won't be a problem stepping up and I'll be just as strong. Or I could fight at catch weight.

Looks like Ricky is trying to force Floyd Mayweather's hand. There isn't a fight out there for him now apart from Hatton From Sonic Have your say

"Either way, I'll get the fights I always wanted. I'd like all the belts, but as long as the right people know who's number one, that's enough for me."

Art Pelullo, president of Banner Promotions, said the venue could be a specially-erected 20,000 capacity tent and predicted Hatton would be a huge draw across the Atlantic.

"Both Showtime and HBO want to be in the Ricky Hatton business," said Pelullo.

"He is the most fan-friendly fighter in the world today and he will become one of the biggest stars in America over the next decade."

Victory over Baldomir could set up a fight with Floyd Mayweather, regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Hatton was hoping to fulfil his dream and fight at Madison Square Garden but the New York boxing mecca is booked.

But Ray Hatton - Ricky's father and business manager - insisted: "It isn't about Ricky fighting in front of 20,000 people - it's about him fighting on prime-time TV in front of 30 or 40m."