Hatton still has Mayweather in mind

Ricky Hatton will resume his pursuit of Floyd Mayweather should he overcome Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2.

Hatton suffered the only blemish on his 46-fight career in December 2007 when he was stopped in 10 rounds by Mayweather.

The 30-year-old from Manchester is eager for a rematch staged in the UK and also has his eye on WBA and WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.

“There are plenty of good fights out there for me if I was to beat Pacquiao,” said Hatton.

“Juan Manuel Marquez wants to become the first Mexican to win titles at five different weights.

“There’s him and I’d be a liar if I said I don’t think I can get another crack at Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“Manny won’t be my last fight. Hopefully I’ll have a homecoming in the UK - against Marquez or Mayweather.”

Mayweather was regarded as pound-for-pound king when the rivals met at welterweight and Hatton gets a second shot at being considered the best when he meets Pacquiao.

It promises to be a thrilling contest between two aggressive fighters with Pacquiao starting as favourite.

But Hatton is adamant the Filipino superstar, who is revered as a national hero in his home country, is vulnerable.

“It’s a shame you can’t be inside me and see how confident I’m feeling,” he said.

“I know it will be tough but Ricky Hatton is an absolute handful.

“The reason why I think I’m going to win is that I’ve seen Manny drop to body shots from smaller men a few times.

“I’ve seen him shaken up by head punches. Bear in mind I’m the biggest fighter he will have fought against.”

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, has no interest in a clash with Mayweather.

“I didn’t want to fight Mayweather next because he’s a boring fight,” he said.

“We need the best fighters fighting each other because of other sports competing with us.

“If we win I don’t have a lot of interest in fighting Mayweather. Even if you beat him you look bad doing it.

“Mayweather is very skilled. I don’t like his style – he’s a runner but is a great boxer.”