Paulie Malignaggi has urged Ricky Hatton to come out of retirement and face him for the WBA welterweight championship.

Reports have suggested that the British boxer is considering an in-ring comeback after officially retiring in July 2011.

Malignaggi, who is eager to exact revenge for his defeat to Hatton in November 2008, has encouraged such a move and has enticed the Manchester fighter with the prospect of a world title bout.

"Every time you get a chance to avenge a defeat it always something you want to do. I am 3-0 in rematches in my career so I'd love nothing more than to go 4-0 and get revenge on Ricky Hatton," Malignaggi told Sky Sports News.

"I would be interested. He has a good win over me, did a job on me, but I have made a lot of changes since then and have got a world title. I don't think he would come back for something small, there would be no point coming back if it wasn't big and I have that.

"I have got something he wants and he has something I want. He beat me and I want to avenge that defeat and defend a world title against Ricky Hatton."

Hatton's last fight ended in a second-round knockout defeat to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009.