By Jose "OnFire" Aguirre

The journey to America started a few months early. Several days ago, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, flew in to New York in order to participate in a deposition relating to a legal battle involving the WBA and former promoter Frank Warren. The UK superstar has used his stay in New York very wisely by conducting numerous media interviews, greeting fans and appearing on various television programs.

BoxingScene caught up with the IBF and WBA junior welterweight champion during his stay in New York to talk about his American debut in May, potential opponents and how he matches up to boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

krikya360.com: Ricky, how are you feeling today?

Ricky Hatton: I'm Ok. It feels good to come to New York. I have a few interviews to do, with the National Press and ESPN, I'm going to get interviewed on there. My next is going to be in Connecticut in May, so I'll jolt up a bit of publicity because it's my first time fighting in the states, topping the bill. I'm excited, looking forward to it and enjoying my week.

krikya360.com: You took out Kostya Tszyu. You took out Carlos Maussa. You won two titles. Share your experience with us on how that felt for you.

Ricky Hatton: It's a dream come true because before a lot of people thought I was overprotected and I was staying in my home country and not wanting to fight the best that was out there. But, I think last year proved that was not the case with those two wins. I think my fight is getting better and next year I hope to get fights with (Miguel) Cotto, (Floyd) Mayweather and people like that.

krikya360.com: By Coming to America and fighting your next bout in Connecticut should prove that you are ready to fight the big names. Is that the case?

Ricky Hatton: Yeah, definitely. I always knew that I wanted to fight the big names. Not a lot of people believed me, but after my wins over Tszyu and Maussa maybe they are starting to believe me. I'm very successful in England and I hope to be as successful in the states which is why I'm coming over here to do some PR work to try and raise my profile on this side of the water.

krikya360.com: There have been some rumblings about what is actually next for you. Is it Mayweather? Is it (Carlos) Baldomir? Is it Gatti? Can you give us an answer?

Ricky Hatton: All of those names have been linked. Hopefully soon I will found out. It depends on which television network we end up going with and depends on which day the fight will be. It will defiantly be May in Connecticut and the opponent should be announced this week. Any of those guys are a possibility because we will target all of them.

I don't think I could be any more popular in Great Britain or England and I want to try and become as popular over here. I think I’ve got the exciting style to do it and hopefully this week I can raise my profile and go towards making me a big name in the states.

krikya360.com: We know that you might not be able to tell us too much, but if you had a preference - who would you want to fight next?

Ricky Hatton: Well, maybe Baldomir. For my immediate next fight because he beat the man at 147 in Zab Judah. He’s the man with the Ring belt now. That would be a good opportunity for me. Especially with Mayweather moving up in weight and Cotto rumored to move up there soon. That would be a good fight for me, but ultimately Floyd Mayweather is the one I want because pound for pound everyone considers him number one now. That would be the one I want eventually, but Baldomir for my next one would be a nice one.

krikya360.com: In your mind, how does a fight with you and Floyd Mayweather play out?

Ricky Hatton: I think it would be very, very close. I certainly wont match him for ability, but I don’t think he will match me for work rate, strength and stuff like that. I think that if anybody has got the style to beat Floyd I think it's me, but maybe he has the style to beat me also. It's going to be interesting, it will be a close one.

krikya360.com: Is there anything that you would like to say to your fans all around the world and krikya360.com?

Ricky Hatton: I get a lot of support from the American people. They treat me very well every time I come over here. I'm looking forward to coming back to the states and make sure you get your buts down to Connecticut because once you have seen me once, you will want to see me all the more. I give value for money and that's what you pay - money, and that's what you deserve to see.