Manchester's Hatton is still undefeated in 41 pro encounters
Ricky Hatton's team has welcomed the news that potential rival Jose Luis Castillo has escaped a ban from boxing.
Castillo was fined $250,000 (£140,000) for failing to make the 135lbs weight limit against Diego Corrales in June.

But Castillo can re-apply for a license in Nevada in January, if he fights above the 135lbs lightweight limit.

"We're happy that Castillo won't be out of action because we'd love to make the fight happen," said Hatton's co-promoter Dennis Hobson.

Before that, Hatton is likely to challenge IBF light welterweight champion Juan Urango of Colombia in Atlanta on 9 December.

The most exciting match out there for [Castillo] is against Ricky Hatton

Dennis Hobson

"Allowing ourselves for a second to anticipate a favorable result there, we've already had good talks with Bob Arum about making a Hatton v Castillo super-fight (at 140lbs) for March or April," said Hobson.

"That's a fight Ricky is relishing."

Hobson and Hatton were at the Las Vegas weigh-in for the Castillo v Corrales bout before it was scrapped when Mexico's Castillo came in at 140lbs.

"Me and Ricky were as gutted as anyone that the fight got cancelled at the last minute," said Hobson.

"But I think Castillo's paid the price by getting fined and should be allowed to move on in his career.

"The best way for Castillo to make it up to boxing fans would be for him to put on another fantastic fight and the most exciting match out there for him is against Ricky Hatton."

Holyfield last fought in New York on 13 November, 2004
Evander Holyfield begins a comeback on Friday which he hopes will end in an unprecedented fifth world title.
America's former undisputed heavyweight champion, now aged 43, fights journeyman Jeremy Bates in Dallas.

Holyfield has won only one of his last six fights, and his last loss was so was lacklustre that New York boxing officials revoked his licence.

But the four-time title holder said: "I am supposed to retire on top and I know that I can."

Holyfield had no problem getting a licence in Texas, and he weighed in on Thursday at 100kg (220lbs).

Bates, who has a 21-11-1 record and had quit the ring before Holyfield came calling, weighed in at 102kg (225.5lbs).

Holyfield, who claims to have a ranked opponent lined up for his next bout, said: "This is just to let people know that I can fight.

He plans to have a title fight in 2007 and to have all the belts around his waist, "by the time that Olympics comes," in 2008.

"When they put out the flame, I'll be retired," he said. "Maybe right there in Beijing."

The four significant world heavyweight titles are currently held by four different boxers, and Holyfield believes his return to the fray will create a stir.

"People are going to say 'can he do it?'. That's going to bring interest," he said. "If I just beat one of them guys, everybody will go crazy."

Boonen will ride in this year's Tour of Britain
Tom Boonen won a sprint finish to take the first stage of the Benelux Tour on Thursday and become the overall leader of the eight-day ProTour race.
The Quick Step rider beat off Simone Cadamuro and Enrico Gasparotto of Italy in a tight conclusion to stage from Wieringerwerf to Hoogeveen.

Boonen took the race lead thanks to a 10-second time bonus for his stage win.

He will wear the leader's red jersey during Friday's 194.6 km second stage from Hertogenbosch to Sittard-Geleen.

Booen said "Winning the first stage is good for the team's moral. Now we can ride the rest of the race without any pressure."

The world road race champion is determined to win stage five to his home town of Balen next Monday.

Boonen failed to win a stage on the Tour de France last month and retired from the race in the Alps.