Hatton talks tough ahead of Mayweather clash

RICKY HATTON has vowed to prove the world wrong and leave Floyd Mayweather with no room for excuses when the pair clash in their world welterweight title showdown on December 8.

Hatton is relishing the prospect of heading into the Las Vegas ring as a major underdog and insists his biggest fear is how Mayweather is going to react once he has tasted defeat for the first time in his illustrious career.

Hatton said: “It’s common knowledge that Floyd has bad hands and I just hope that on the night when I beat Floyd and it all seems fair he doesn’t try to blame it on the dancing or bad hands.”

Rumours have already begun circulating that Mayweather is concealing an injury in his final phase of preparation, after footage of him receiving treatment appeared on the pre-fight 24-7 preview programme.

Hatton added: ‘‘I’m liking what I’m seeing from his training camp watching his padwork, because although he’s got fantastic handspeed he’s hitting the bags and the speedball with little power.”

Hatton is still bound to start the fight as a major underdog but has received the backing of the show’s promoter and former Mayweather opponent Oscar de la Hoya.

“Floyd doesn’t really rely on power, he relies on hand speed, and from what I’ve seen of Ricky Hatton, he relies on both,” said De La Hoya.

“Hatton brings intelligent pressure and I think that’s key. He not only comes forward and puts more pressure on you than I did, but he does it in a very intelligent way.” Hatton, who is already ensconced in his rented house in the Las Vegas suburbs along with his brother Matthew and gym-mate Matthew Macklin, says he will look forward to entering the ring as the underdog.

As he has never tired of pointing out, the last time Hatton was not favoured to win was against Kostya Tszyu, which he won when the Australian failed to appear for the final round.

Hatton added: “Everybody has picked Floyd to beat me and that suits me fine. I couldn’t care less if everybody picked Floyd because the last time no-one gave me a chance I made Tszyu quit, and I’m going to make Floyd quit.

“Floyd would like to think the pressure will get to me but I’ve always boxed in front of bigger crowds and I’ve always had the right preparation. I’ve been groomed to fight at this level from the start.”