Britain's IBF and WBA light world welterweight champion Ricky Hatton is ready to ditch his warm-up plans and jump straight into a career-defining fight against American superstar Floyd Mayweather.

The Hitman was expected to take a couple of easier fights in America in 2006 before taking on Mayweather in a junior-welterweight unification bout at the end of the year or in early 2007.

But undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah's suprise defeat against Argentine journeyman Carlos Baldomir has scuppered plans for a lucrative contest between Mayweather and Judah.

That means the dangerous Hatton is back on the cards for Mayweather, who is widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

And Hatton's camp insist they would gladly put up his IBF and WBA titles for a unification bout against the WBC light-welterweight king as early as April.

Hatton's father and business manager Ray is still sifting through offers to stage the Hitman's first trans-Atlantic title defence in the next few months.

"The Mayweather fight has been on the cards ever since Ricky beat Kostya Tszyu - and if someone came along and said here is the Mayweather fight' we would take it," said Ray Hatton.

"We are very close to finalising a deal for his next fight now, but what we do know is that Ricky is going to be fighting in America in either April or May."

Mayweather's uncle and trainer Roger has indicated his son will now turn his attention to Hatton.

"The fact Floyd's fight against Judah is off means a fight against Hatton is much bigger now and much easier to make," he told the BBC.

"They're the best in their division, so it adds up. Floyd wants it, and people are trying to make it."

Meanwhile, Dennis Hobson, who promoted Hatton's first IBF title defence and unification bout against Colombian Carlos Maussa in November, has emerged as the favourite to promote Hatton's next fight in association with an unnamed American promoter.

In the absence of an immediate deal with Mayweather, the likelihood remains that Hatton will seek to gradually enhance his profile in the States with a couple of initial bouts on free-to-air TV.

Talks are still on-going about a fight with popular Canadian Arturo Gatti who was dismantled in just six rounds by Mayweather last year but whose all-action style remains popular among fight fans in the States.

"We have got to do what is best for us because we have had eight years where we have not had many choices, so it is a nice position to be in" added Hatton snr.

"It is all about going over there and, I hope, introducing Ricky and his personality to the American public.

"Pay-per-view is the goal, but ideally it would be good to have a couple of fights for people to get to know him.

"If a big fight was out there we would take it immediately. But Ricky is only just 27; he is younger than the other champions and he has got time on his side."