RICKY HATTON is not making any predictions ahead of his WBC welterweight clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this weekend, except that he is going to win.
Speaking to Metro Eireann, Hatton – nicknamed ‘Hitman’ – said that he has no doubt about the outcome of the 8 December showdown, adding that he is looking forward to shocking the world and making the media eat their words.
However, the Manchester-born puncher, who was in Matthews Macklin’s corner at the Point in Dublin last August, admits that Mayweather, who many consider the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today, will present a formidable test.
He said: “I have no doubt in my mind that I can win on Saturday night. People speak about the pressure, but it is just another fight for me and that’s the way I’m looking at it.”
“My confidence is building all the time; I can’t wait for this fight to happen and am counting down the days. Some people are not giving me a chance, but then they didn’t give me a chance against Kostya Tszyu either, but I made him quit.
“The media are going for Mayweather, fair enough, but I’m in the best shape of my life and I’m looking forward to shocking the world. The question Mayweather has to ask himself is if he has the power to deal with my constant pressure.”
Twenty-nine-year-old Hatton is one year Mayweath-er’s junior, and at 5'6" is giving away two inches in height to his opponent and seven inches in reach. Both boxers remain unbeaten, with Hatton boasting a record of 43 wins (31 by knockout), and Mayweather chalking up 38 straight wins (24 knockouts).
Mayweather’s last win saw him receive a split decision over Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas last May. The defeated De La Hoya, who is co-promoting Saturday night’s clash, is on record backing the ‘Hitman’.
“I’ve been in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” he said. “We fought at 154 pounds and even though he weighed-in lighter that that, the power was different. But Floyd does not rely on power, he relies more on speed. What I see with Hatton is that he has both speed and power.
“The difference with Hatton is that he brings intelligent pressure and that’s the key word. When he puts pressure on you, he does it in an intelligent way and that will play a part in the fight.”
When De La Hoya piled on the pressure in the early rounds of last May’s fight, Mayweather was clearly upset, particularly when De La Hoya got inside his guard – a trademark tactic of Hatton’s.
The Mancunian fighter added: “I’m more worried facing power than speed. Mayweather is a fast puncher, but he needs firepower to stop me coming at him. If he doesn’t hurt me, I will keep coming forward all night.”
Las Vegas-based Mayweath-er has taken to taunting Hatton by wearing T-shirts inscribed with the slogan ‘Vicky Fatton’. But the ‘Hitman’ remains unfazed by the trash talk and is totally focused on winning one of his sport’s biggest prizes.
“The talk that goes on ahead of fights is all just part of the game and I never really take any notice of it to tell the truth,” he said. “Anyway, I can give as good as I get in the verbals. When we step inside the ring the talking will stop and I know exactly what I have to do.”
n Meanwhile, unbeaten Irish middleweight John Duddy will be facing one of the biggest tests of his career when he takes on Howard Eastman at The King’s Hall in Belfast this Saturday night.
Duddy is inching his way towards a world title shot, but veteran pugilist Eastwood still has enough in his armoury to suggest that this could go all the way down to the wire.
