Hatton in no-show

Ricky Hatton failed to turn up to Saturday's press conference to officially announce his November 22 showdown with IBF light-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi due to illness.

The popular Mancunian is currently in Las Vegas engaged in early preparations for the fight but suddenly felt unwell and could not make the media event.

Hatton's lawyer Gareth Williams said: "We don't know what the problem is."

"We came in last night, had some food, and then he got sick. When he's eating burger, chips and beer, he's fine," he added.

Williams insisted Hatton - who enjoys eating and drinking but maintains a strict diet during pre-fight training - was not suffering from a hangover.

Malignaggi's promoter Lou DiBella said: "He was drinking lemonade last night when I saw him. No matter how sick Ricky feels right now, he is going to feel a lot sicker on November 22."

It has also emerged the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena may not be for Malignaggi's IBF title because Hatton is not the body's mandatory champion.

But for the New Yorker, the fight is all about prestige.

"This is the biggest fight of my career, and I live for these opportunities," Malignaggi said. "The best always comes out of me for moments like this. And this moment can't get any bigger."