Paulie Malignaggi wants Ricky Hatton rematch

Paulie Malignaggi has urged Ricky Hatton to come out of retirement and face him for the WBA welterweight championship.

Reports have suggested that the British boxer is considering an in-ring comeback after officially retiring in July 2011.

Malignaggi, who is eager to exact revenge for his defeat to Hatton in November 2008, has encouraged such a move and has enticed the Manchester fighter with the prospect of a world title bout.

"Every time you get a chance to avenge a defeat it always something you want to do. I am 3-0 in rematches in my career so I'd love nothing more than to go 4-0 and get revenge on Ricky Hatton," Malignaggi told Sky Sports News.

"I would be interested. He has a good win over me, did a job on me, but I have made a lot of changes since then and have got a world title. I don't think he would come back for something small, there would be no point coming back if it wasn't big and I have that.

"I have got something he wants and he has something I want. He beat me and I want to avenge that defeat and defend a world title against Ricky Hatton."

Hatton's last fight ended in a second-round knockout defeat to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009.