PLANET FOOTBALL, SPORT & MUSIC

Throb · Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:05 pm CASTILLO TO BE GUEST OF MAN UNITED

Intresting to see what Utds fans sing or say or think about this.

Ricky Hatton has an added incentive to beat Jose Luis Castillo - the Mexican is siding with Manchester United!

City fan Hatton will take on the 33-year-old legend in Las Vegas in June in the marquee fight he has always craved.

But before that, Castillo has a date in Manchester - at Old Trafford this weekend.

The two-time world lightweight champion, whose sons are United fans, will be presented to the crowd ahead of United's FA Cup fifth round clash with Reading on Saturday.

Meanwhile Hatton and Castillo have been given a boost with the news that the IBO will sanction their summer showdown.

The Hitman's decision to take on the Mexican and not defend the title he won back against Juan Urango in January forced him to vacate the belt.

It means his next fight will not be under the IBF banner, but as IBO light-welterweight champion, he has their full backing.
"Superstars like Ricky realize that the IBO is a different sanctioning body," said a statement.

"We will not impose questionable mandatories, rather, preferring to let our champions fight who the public wants them to fight.

"In an era when some sanctioning bodies have come to represent a threat to their very own champions, we at the IBO look to support our champions careers not hinder them. Let the best fight the best and the IBO will stay out of matchmaking."