Hatton will fight Khan — if he’s allowed to be the promoter

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON — Ricky Hatton will only fight Amir Khan if he can promote the “Battle of Britain” bout.

Hatton’s future in boxing has been in doubt since his second-round knockout against Manny Pacquiao in May sent him to a hospital for a precautionary brain scan.

Hatton has focused on a promotion business as he readies for a post-fighting career.

The 30-year-old Briton hasn’t decided if he will retire or face Khan, the newly crowned WBA light-welterweight champion.

“If I do decide to make a comeback and he is still world champion and he’s still at that level, then obviously being a light-welterweight, it is a possibility,” Hatton said Tuesday. “But with the greatest of respect, it would only be if I promoted it.”

Hatton’s fight with Pacquiao was through Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

“But, yeah, if I choose to fight again and he’s still up there — which I certainly hope he is, as a personal friend — then it’s a possibility,” Hatton said.

The 22-year-old Khan won his first world title in July in a unanimous decision against Andreas Kotelnik. Khan’s promoter Frank Warren called on Hatton to retire, arguing that he wasn’t fit to fight again.

Klitschko-Arreola

FRANKFURT — Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Chris Arreola on Sept. 26 in Los Angeles.

Arreola is hoping to become the first Mexican-American to win a major heavyweight title. His promoter, Dan Goossen, had confirmed details of the fight to The Associated Press last week.

“I am very pleased that the negotiations have been successfully concluded and that we can offer fans worldwide the fight that everyone wants to see,” said Bernd Boente, head of Klitschko’s management group. “Vitali and Chris Arreola are both known as hard punchers and few experts believe this fight will go the distance.”

Klitschko said in the statement he was looking forward to fighting again at the Staples Center, where he has already fought against Lennox Lewis and Corrie Sanders.

“Chris Arreola is one of the strongest possible rivals. He is young, undefeated, has a hard punch and is very confident,” the 38-year-old Klitschko said. “I will definitely not underestimate him.”