Mayweather set for Hatton showdown

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. has agreed to come out of retirement to fight Ricky Hatton, the British boxer's father Ray said on Wednesday.

Hatton is expected to move up a division from light welterweight for the fight, which will probably be staged on December 8 in Las Vegas where he beat Jose Luis Castillo in June to retain his IBO title.

"The contract provided what we wanted and we are officially signed up and our lawyers have told us that the Mayweather camp have also signed," Ray Hatton was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"Now we're just waiting for the date and venue to be made official."

The 30-year-old Mayweather said he was retiring following his victory over Oscar De La Hoya to win the WBC super-welterweight title in May. However, the prospect of facing Hatton, 28, has ensured his return to the ring.

Mayweather's adviser Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com: "We've agreed to the fight. We're excited that Ricky Hatton is stepping up to the plate. It's like this -- he asked for it and now he's going to get it." E-mail to a friend

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