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Hatton confident of taking Britain's biggest boxing triumph

Society Materials 7 December 2007 02:26 (UTC +04:00)

( AFP ) - Ricky Hatton is confident he will bring home the greatest victory in British boxing history by dethroning Floyd Mayweather here Saturday in an iconic showdown of unbeaten welterweights.

The self-deprecating 29-year-old Englishman has joked about getting heavy between fights and downing a few pints at Manchester pubs with his friends, but his manner is serious when it comes to winning and what it would mean.

"It will be the biggest win in British boxing history," he said. "It would mean everything. To be the best fighter in the world in any weight division, it would be massive.

"I believe I'm going to do it. There's not a doubt in my mind. I've spent a lifetime of my career being respectful and not having a bad word to say, but in my eyes this fight is already over.

"I think Floyd is going to get the shock of his life."

Mayweather, 38-0 with 24 knockouts, defends his World Boxing Council crown against Hatton, 43-0 with 31 knockouts, in a matchup that has brought thousands from Britain to the neon-glowing Las Vegas Strip in vocal support.

"I have a fantastic following. It spurs me on," Hatton said. "It makes me feel proud they respect me because of the success I've had. I haven't changed one little bit. My feet are still firmly on the ground.

"I look at myself no different than the man in the crowd. I look forward to doing them proud."

Hatton's biggest triumph so far came in his hometown in June of 2005 when he upset Australia's Kostya Tszyu with an 11th-round stoppage to capture the International Boxing Federation light welterweight title.

Hatton won a 12-round decision over Luis Collazo in 2006 for the World Boxing Association welterweight crown and went back to the light welterweight ranks to defeat Juan Urango by decision here in January.

His most recent bout came in June when he knocked out Jose Luis Castillo in the fourth round.

Now his blue-collar style of a hard-charging pressure puncher will be tested by Mayweather, who revels in celebrity by appearing on such shows as "Dancing with the Stars".

"He looked to be quite a good dancer," Hatton said. "But I don't think you want to see me on a Saturday night in Manchester after about 10 pints of Guinness."

Hatton's weight rises between fights but that has not cost him victory yet and his condition is the best of his career this week.

"I've called myself 'Ricky Fatton'. I do put on a lot of weight between my fights," he said. "I've won four world titles in two weight divisions. Whatever I'm doing, it's working for me.

"Ideally it would be best if I didn't put as much weight on, but that's the way I am."

Mayweather is known for using angles and giving foes little to hit, using his speed to full advantage. But Hatton has some strategy in mind as well.

"Floyd thinks I'm going to try to use my bulk and get rough and unsettle him but there's method in my madness," Hatton said. "I'm not just going to go in there with all guns blazing with no thought for what I'm doing.

"I understand I'm the underdog in this fight but if you look at the fights where people have put pressure on him, he looks a bit less comfortable. I intend to set a high pace. I don't think tiredness will be an issue."

Hatton answered a pre-fight challenge Wednesday when Mayweather leaned into him and he pushed back into him.

"I'm surprised Ricky didn't push him back flat on his ass given the way he feels about Floyd," Hatton trainer Billy Graham said.

"Ricky's not one to dislike anybody. He respects his opponents and all this trash talking is not really our style. But he has said quite a few things to Ricky and Ricky genuinely doesn't like him."

Hatton genuinely does like Graham, having trained with him nearly half his life.

"Billy and I have been mates for years. I started working with Billy at 15 and we hit it off right from the start. It's a wonderful relationship," Hatton said.

"We're just two local lads from Manchester housing estates that have done very well."

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