Hatton's American adventure has been frustrating so far

Juan Lazcano, Mexico's former WBC lightweight champion, has ruled himself out after breaking a finger.

On Wednesday, Carlos Baldomir, the WBC welterweight champion and Hatton's preferred choice, signed to fight Arturo Gatti, another Hatton target.

Hatton's promoter Dennis Hobson said he was in talks with three other fighters.

"Just as I put the deal to bed and finally got to bed myself, I get a call at 4am on Wednesday morning telling me that Lazcano had broken his finger," said Hobson.

Just as we signed what we thought would be the perfect opponent for Ricky, he pulls out hurt Promoter Dennis Hobson

"We're disappointed as Lazcano would have made for an outstanding collision of all-action fighters.

"But we've already moved on and we've got three equally exciting fighters ready to sign on the dotted line over the weekend."

Hobson, who has signed a three-fight deal with American television network HBO, had hoped to announce an opponent for IBF and WBA title-holder Hatton last week.

"It has been a tiny bit frustrating," Hobson said. "Just as we signed what we thought would be the perfect opponent for Ricky to make an American statement with, he pulls out hurt. But these things happen, it is no big deal."

Hobson also confirmed that he had reached a deal to fight WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo, but that Hatton's trainer Billy Graham vetoed the fight with the awkward southpaw.

"Billy felt Collazo would play spoiler and try to put a dampener on what we want to be an explosive championship debut for Ricky in America," said Hobson.