http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12183_2838315,00.html
Floyd Mayweather told Sky Sports News that he knows exactly how to hurt Ricky Hatton when the two step into the ring for ‘Undefeated’ on 8th December in Las Vegas.
In one of the most eagerly-anticipated fights in years, the two men put their unbeaten records on the line at the MGM Grand, in a fight you can see live on Sky Box Office on 8th December.
The war of words has been going on for some time, and as the fight creeps nearer and nearer, the ever-talkative ‘Pretty Boy’ is keen to launch his verbal offensive to undermine ‘The Hitman’.
Mayweather is convinced that Hatton can only fight one way, and believes he knows exactly how to hurt the Mancunian, after watching his one and only knockdown of his career against Eamonn Magee.
The fight is about more than just title belts or undefeated records, with the prize of being known as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world at stake, but Mayweather believes Hatton is simply not up to the task.
“People have got to realise that Ricky Hatton is one-dimensional, you don’t become a pound-for-pound fighter, the best fighter in the world being one dimensional,” Mayweather told Sky Sports News.
"One thing the fans know from England, what fans know all over the world that we can’t lie about - he’s been knocked down before and we know that.
"We’ve seen him hurt before, we know where he can get hurt at, and I know where he can get hurt at.
“If he’s got so many fans and his fan base is so big, then why is this his first pay-per-view fight that he’s fighting in. Ricky Hatton should be happy that I’ve given him an opportunity to even share a ring with me, or an opportunity to get his biggest payday, it may be his last payday.”
Hostile reception
Mayweather did not appreciate the hostile reception he received in Manchester on his trans-Atlantic promotional tour, and he says Hatton will be made to pay.
"I thought the British fans, British males were nothing but gentleman, but what I came to see is that you can’t believe everything you hear.
“It doesn’t matter though, because Ricky Hatton is going to have to pay for what they did, and he better fight hard because I’m going to bring my best always.”
A lot has been made about Hatton’s fitness regime, or lack of it, when he is not fighting, as his weight fluctuates greatly in between fights.
Hatton has always managed to come out on top though, but Mayweather says this time he will be found out, and is predicting a drawn-out defeat for the Hitman.
“I feel that any fighter who is truly disciplined should not let his weight get too far, shouldn’t get too far from fight weight,” Mayweather added.
I mean I fight at 147 (lbs), and I weight 147, 146, this guy fights at 140 and walks around 170, so you can see who’s disciplined.
"A 12-round brutal beating sticks with you more than a guy hit you with one shot and you get knocked out. Anyone can say he caught me with a lucky shot.
“But a brutal beating where you close both his eyes, break his ribs and leave him with blood in his mouth, that sticks with you.”
Legacy
Always a relaxed character, Mayweather insists he thrives on the pressure of a big fight, and defeating Hatton will just put the seal on his boxing legacy.
"With me, I like pressure. I feel that a true, great athlete can perform his best under pressure.
"I don’t have another day in my life, even before the (Oscar) de la Hoya fight I didn’t have to fight another fight.
“I guess I have one more country to conquer. I’ve beaten the best every country had to offer, so now its one more to conquer, and I think that will put the official seal on my legacy.”
