Martin Murray floored Sergio Martinez in Buenos Aires but lost on points © AP Enlarge

Ricky Hatton is thrilled that Martin Murray's stock has risen since his performance against WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez in Argentina, but has told ESPN that it may be too early to talk about a showdown with Gennady Golovkin.

Murray suffered the first defeat of his professional career to Martinez on points despite flooring the 38-year-old twice in the fight, though the second knockdown was deemed a slip by the referee.

But his brave display in front of a fervent home crowd in Buenos Aires has attracted the interest of a string of fighters, says Hatton - now working as Murray's promoter since hanging up his gloves - among them WBA and IBO middleweight champion Golovkin.

Speaking to Steve Bunce about Murray's next move, Hatton said: "We're hoping to make an announcement in the next few weeks. There are lots of offers coming in for Martin, but it's just about finding the right move at the right time.

"That's something I learnt from my old promoter, Frank Warren. This promoting game is all about timing and Martin's a real flavour of the month due to his wonderful performance.

"He's had offers - Golovkin [was] one of them. Martin has no fear of fighting any of them and I think he's proved that by going to Argentina and going to Germany."

But Hatton knows from his own experience in the ring that there are benefits to pacing the flow of fights against top quality opposition.

"I wanted to fight Kostya Tszyu three years before I boxed him and if I'd done that, he'd have beaten me," Hatton admitted. "It's all about the right timing - build the fight up, build the interest."

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