An open letter to Ricky Hatton from Lovemore Ndou

19.07 - Firstly Ricky, congratulations on your career and performances to date.

I write this letter to publicly challenge you to step up and take me on in September. My manager Stuart Duncan has sent correspondence to your promoter Frank Warren and has had no response on numerous occasions. I am currently rated No.12 in the world with the IBF and am the IBF Pan Pacific junior welterweight champion.

I am prepared to travel to your hometown, enabling your local fans to see you perform. My manager has an understanding of a previous purse amount that was paid to a recent opponent of yours and under no circumstances will we price ourselves out of making the fight a reality. We are prepared to work with your promoter for any media commitments or any other reasonable requests that would assist in any way.

All too often good boxers get into the ring for a world title without really being tested against credible opponents. I look through your record and it is time for you to step up and face a real credible opponent who is on the way up the world ratings.

If you feel you are up to it, take my challenge to your promoter and tell him here's a credible opponent you are prepared to fight.

Many times we see the trash talk - ridiculing of opponents and other tactics. As often as we see that happen, we rarely see the bouts eventuate due to management making business decisions. Prove to your fans in your hometown that you are prepared to step up and take on a willing top 15 rated opponent. You show your heart and courage and step up to meet with me and we are more than prepared to offer a re-match on contract in the event that we win.

Basically you have a credible opponent where the purse won't be a barrier. We are prepared to travel, we are prepared to enter into a contractual re-match and are prepared to work in with your promoter to ensure that every effort is undertaken on our part to make the show a success. I have a current medical certificate with recent brain scan results and am in perfect health. So basically from our end we are ready to go. The rest is up to you.

I read on the Internet recently that you are looking for an opponent for September, well here I am!

I know and can understand how Junior Witter is like a boil on your arse, don't categorize me as a thorn in your side and "take the challenge Ricky".

My Manager Stuart Duncan or Promoter Goosen Tutor Promotions will now await your call.

Kind regards

Lovemore "Black Panther" Ndou
33 wins
5 losses
1 draw
20 wins by knockout

31 years of age
lives, Sydney, Australia
born, Transvaal, South Africa
IBF Pan Pacific junior welterweight champion
rated IBF No.12 in the world