Dmitriy Salita, the unbeaten light-welterweight who was denied a shot at the WBA world title when champion Andreas Kotelnik pulled out of the fight, has turned his attention to Ricky Hatton.

Having watched Hatton's 11th round stoppage victory over American Paulie Malignaggi, Brooklyn-based Salita fancies his chances against the Manchester "Hitman".

"I want to fight him," said 26-year-old Salita. "I see a lot of mistakes. His defence is not good. He can be hit clean, and he's not too active in the ring.

"I've been around world-class fighters all my life and I feel I know my strengths and weaknesses. I know I have the ability to take Ricky Hatton."

American promoter Lou DiBella wants Salita to meet his fighter Malignaggi at KeySpan Park in Brooklyn next year. The pair have trained together at New York's famous Gleason's Gym, and Salita said: "Paulie and I are friends but we also understand that this is a business, but first let me win a title."