Boxing: 'MY STANDARDS HAVE SLIPPED' - HATTON

Ricky Hatton admits his frustration at failing to land a meaningful world title shot has caused his standards to slip.

But Hatton intends to refocus and produce one of his career-best performances when he defends his title against American Mike Stewart in Manchester on Friday night.

At stake for Hatton is a position as leading contender for the IBF title - due to be contested between Kostya Tszyu and Sharmba Mitchell on November 6.

And after below-par performances against Dennis Holbaek Pedersen and Wilfredo Vilches, he knows he cannot afford to take Stewart lightly as he nears the big prize.