Ricky Hatton to name comeback opponent on Friday, September 28

Ricky Hatton will reveal his comeback opponent this Friday, September 28, according to Sky Sports, in what should turn out to be a very interesting announcement. Hatton's return to the ring is set for Manchester Arena on November 24, with a reported 18,000 tickets already sold.

The biggest rumor to date has been former lightweight contender Michael Katsidis, but reports from Australia are that Katsidis is not the opponent, and his manager says that they've had no contact with the Hatton camp. This would, as Sky says, indicate that the plans are already set in another direction.

Lovemore N'dou has also been mentioned as a potential opponent, and former WBA welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko's name has also floated around the rumor mill a little bit.

Hatton (45-2, 32 KO) hasn't fought since 2009, and is expected to return as a welterweight, though a catchweight fight even a bit higher (say, 150 pounds) wouldn't be a total shock, either. Hatton hasn't definitively stated where he intends to seriously campaign, but the first ultimate goal is reportedly a fight with current WBA welterweight kingpin Paulie Malignaggi. Hatton defeated Malignaggi in 2008.

[ Related: Is 'Hitman' Hatton making the right choice to return? ]