Rowsell next for Hatton

Ricky Hatton will meet Australian Justin Rowsell when he makes the third defence of his World Boxing Union light-welterweight title in his home city of Manchester on 27 October.

The 29-year-old challenger boasts a record of 31 wins, two draws and one defeat, with 23 of his victories coming inside the distance. Rowsell is a two-time national champion at lightweight and light-welterweight and also briefly held the World Boxing Organisation Intercontinental belt in the 10-stone division.

"I've watched a couple of tapes of him and he seems a well schooled, upright boxer," Hatton said. "He's got a very good record and he's very highly thought of in Australia. He's mixed in quite good company and it's a very good test."

Hatton, who took his record to 25-0 when stopping the American John Bailey in five rounds on 15 September, has long-term ambitions to fight the winner of the forthcoming clash between Kostya Tszyu and International Boxing Federation titleholder Zab Judah.