Former world champion and Manchester City fan Ricky Hatton has challenged Rio Ferdinand to a fight.

Ferdinand, a former England and Manchester United defender, announced in September that he has taken up boxing, with the backing of bookmakers Betfair.

The 38-year-old claimed at the time that he is "aiming for a belt" and Hatton, who won 45 fights and suffered just three losses throughout his career with 32 wins by knockout, whilst also being a two-weight world champion, is now prepared to test his mettle.

“Rio’s a great lad and a boxing fan," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“He wouldn’t have taken it up if he wasn’t going to give it a go and do it justice.

“I’ll make a comeback and fight him."

Hatton retired from the sport in 2009 after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao. He made a comeback in 2012, but suffered a knockout loss at hands of former champion Vyacheslav Senchenko and then announced his retirement for good.

Ferdinand won six Premier League titles during his time at United, and won 81 caps for his country.

IN OTHER NEWS: Lenny Daws is looking to end the year on a high when he features at the Tolworth Recreation Centre, in Surbiton, on Friday 24th November and then focus on a big 2018.

Daws, a former two-time British and European Super-Lightweight Champion, has his first fight since his loss to Anthony Yigit for the Vacant European title in February and will feature in a six-round contest.

The Morden hero pushed the Swedish talent the full twelve-round distance and lost on the judges’ scorecards, but he says more determined than ever to land a final title in his long and distinguished career.

Female World Champion Pink Tyson, real name Kallia Kourouni, from Sparta, Greece, headlines the show, promoted by Hennessy Sports in association with Joey Pyle and John Edwards.

Undefeated Bexleyheath Super-Featherweight prospect Yusuf Safa returns to action following his win on the Hughie Fury-Joseph Parker undercard and aims to target his first professional title shortly.

Two-time Olympian John Joe Nevin from Mullingar, Ireland, has his first in Britain as the supremely talented 28-year-old continues to build on his unbeaten record.

Heading up an exciting undercard will be: Iver Heavyweight Naylor Ball; Mitcham Super-lightweight Cheznie Hawkins; Farnborough’s George Lamport, Camberley Lightweight Jonny Phillips; Chertsey Lightweight Tony Vincent makes his highly-anticipated professional debut and Mitcham Super-lightweight Zahayr Al Quahtani.