RICKY Hatton yesterday revealed he has sacrificed a fair few extra quid'' to make sure his homecoming fight against Juan Lazcano is staged at a time to suit his phenomenal'' supporters.

Light-welterweight champion Hatton will fight in England for the first time in two and a half years when he takes on Mexican Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 24 in his return to the ring after losing to Floyd Mayweather in December.

More than 35,000 British fans travelled to Las Vegas, despite the vast majority being unable to capture tickets for the Mayweather fight and Hatton is keen to show his appreciation, with 55,000 people having the chance to see him at the home of his beloved Manchester City.

Fans in the United Kingdom usually have to stay up until the early hours to watch high-profile British fighters due to the demands of American television.

But Hatton has opted to disappoint American TV giants HBO and promoters Golden Boy in order to ensure his fight, being shown live on Sky Box Office, is at the right time for fans on this side of the Atlantic.

It's always nice to be home,'' said Hatton. My last four fights have been in America and the support I had over there has been absolutely phenomenal.

I can honestly say I can't see that being bettered by a British fighter. It makes me so proud.

It's also for the fans who have supported me from day one back in England, Great Britain and Manchester, who probably thought maybe they had lost the chance to see me fight again here live.

They probably thought I was going to have all my remaining fights in the United States, so I think it's nice to come back.

Not everybody can afford to fly to the US for every fight, so all my fans are going to get the chance to see Ricky Hatton.

As for wrangling over the time of the fight, Hatton added: It is at a fan-friendly time.

I put my contract with HBO and Golden Boy on hold so that I don't have to have it at two in the morning just to coincide with TV.

I could have made a fair few extra quid for having it at two in the morning.

David Haye against Enzo Maccarinelli was at 2am, Joe Calzaghe's fight was at 2am.

Generally that is what you have to do but I chose to put it on hold because I don't like the idea of 55,000 people coming to watch me at 2am."