Ricky Hatton looks certain to confirm he has switched his next fight from New York to Las Vegas, as exclusively revealed by The Times earlier this week, in order to save his army supporters money in the build up to Christmas.

The 29-year-old IBO light-welterweight champion is due to fight Paulie Malignaggi, holder of the equivalent IBF belt, in November, and reportedly had his heart set on a bout at Madison Square Garden. Hatton has always dreamed of topping the bill at the legendary venue, where New Yorker Malignaggi is also a big draw.

But the Manchester-born fighter says that fighting in New York could be significantly more expensive for his travelling supporters and so is prepared to return to the scene of his only defeat, December's 10th-round knockout by Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand, on November 15 or 22.

Hatton's father and promoter Ray said: "Although it would be great to top the bill at Madison Square Garden - even though he's only fought there once before - this is about the fans.

"His exact words were, 'Dad, the fans made me, so I want what's best financially for the fans. I want to make it more a price for them because it is near Christmas'.

"He's putting his weight behind Vegas because of the money the fans are going to save."

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