PRESS RELEASE: IBF light-welterweight champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton will meet WBA titleholder Carlos Maussa from Colombia in a unification match at the Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield on November 26th. The unification bout between Ricky Hatton and Carlos Maussa along with the undercard matches will be broadcast live on Saturday, November 26th at 4:00 pm et on Pay Per View.  The broadcast will be available for a suggested retail price of $19.95 in over 50 Million Pay Per View homes via cable systems from iN Demand & TVN and from satellite providers DirecTV & Dish Network.

The broadcast is being distributed in the USA by Integrated Sports.

The 39-fight unbeaten Hatton, who impressively ripped the IBF title from world No.1 Kostya Tszyu three months ago with an 11th round retirement win, is keen to cement his standing as the 140lbs division’s leading fighter but is anticipating a severe examination against the 33-year-old Maussa.

The Colombian claimed the WBA crown in June with a shock seventh round stoppage of American Vivian Harris and his clash with Hatton promises to be an explosive one.

"I saw him (Maussa) win the title against Vivian Harris and am expecting a very tough battle," insisted Hatton. He's gonna be very dangerous and tough, everyone thought Harris would win but he (Maussa) is awkward and difficult to read which makes him very dangerous.”

"I wanted the unification fights and Fight Academy delivered it right away," said Hatton. “I have always said that I want the big fights. If you look at the Tackie (Ben) fight and the Tszyu fights I perform better the better the opponent and I think I've proved that."

The 26 year-old undefeated champion also believes his business manager father together with Fight Academy's Dennis Hobson and Robert Waterman will be more than capable of delivering all the big fights including a clash with pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr in late 2006.