 Witter (left) has been trailing Hatton for years |
Ricky Hatton has told Junior Witter he will have to wait for his chance to step into the ring with him. Witter has targeted a "superfight" with his British rival after winning the vacant WBC light welterweight title.
But Hatton told BBC Radio Five Live: "My next two fights are virtually done deals, but I could meet Junior down the line if he makes a couple of defences."
Hatton confirmed 13 January as the date for his next bout, against Juan Urango for the IBF junior welterweight belt.
"On the undercard will be (Jose Luis) Castillo. Should I get past Urango they're lining up Castillo for me," said the Manchester fighter.
Witter has been seeking a fight with 'The Hitman' for several years, and his promoter Mick Hennessy is confident a match can be made.
But Hatton, speaking to Five Live's Sportsweek from Las Vegas, said: "It's a fight I'd like to happen, but it can't happen immediately.
"Junior has paid his dues and finally won a world title, and now he can focus on defending his belt and put a bit of money in the bank."
Hatton also queried whether his US TV paymasters HBO would be sufficiently impressed by Witter's win over DeMarcus Corley to consider him as an opponent.
"I'll have to sit down and watch the tape, but I've heard it was a bit of a dull fight," he said.
Bradford's Witter, also speaking on Sportsweek, denied his victory over Corley had been a dour and said he would relish taking on Hatton.
"Ricky would come in and try to bully me but I would outpower him. Once he felt the power of my shots he would have to think again," he claimed.
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Interview: Ricky Hatton and Junior Witter