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Hatton targets world title... or Junior Witter

Matthew Hatton wants to win a world title in 2011 © PA Photos

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Matthew Hatton will chase a world title shot, but if he does not get his wish he admits Junior Witter is one of three options for his next fight.

Hatton became European welterweight champion during 2010, beating Gianluca Branca before making two successful defences. Now he wants world recognition, which he believes he can garner from fighting one of two men.

Viacheslav Senchenko is the current WBA champion and Hatton's top target, but if that bout cannot be arranged the Mancunian wants to emulate Amir Khan by making his name in the US against exciting Mexican talent Saul Alvarez.

Senchenko and Alvarez had been set to fight but talks broke down, opening the door for Hatton. But if he cannot secure one of his division's major overseas names, a long-awaited battle with Witter will finally come to fruition.

"Senchenko is my ideal opponent because I want to fight for a world title," said Hatton in the Manchester Evening News. "But Alvarez is a big name in America. He's a superstar over there. I've always been up for a challenge and that's one I'd relish.

"I still feel the same about Junior Witter. He's very tempting, but at this stage of my career I'm within touching distance of a world title. If a world title doesn't come off or a fight with Alvarez then there is no bigger challenge than Junior Witter. There would be a lot of interest in that fight in England. It would be a good seller.

"You could see it selling out somewhere like the MEN, so if the biggest fights don't come off that's one option to look at. If it's the fight that people want to see, you've got to make."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.