Hatton to Return Against Lazcano

Ricky Hatton has announced his return to the ring for the first time since his 10th-round knockout defeat against Floyd Mayweather last December.

According to a statement on the boxer's official website, Hatton will defend his IBO light-welterweight title against Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 24.

"Ricky's next fight will be on May 24, 2008 at the City of Manchester Stadium," said the statement. "The deal has just been completed. Ricky will defend his IBO light-welterweight title against Juan Lazcano."

The news comes just two weeks after Hatton vowed to return "stronger, wiser and better" from his defeat to Mayweather, which was the first loss of his professional career.

Lazcano, who turns 33 later this month, is a Mexican former WBF and IBA lightweight title holder and has won 37 of his 42 fights, with four defeats. Two of those defeats have come in his last six fights and he was beaten by Vivian Harris - the Guyanan who went on to lose to Junior Witter in a WBC light-welterweight title fight - on his last outing in February last year.