By Mark Vester

WBC/WBA/WBO super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe is preparing for his trip to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, flying to America to support Ricky Hatton in his challenge of WBC welterweight champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Dec. 8

Calzaghe told IC Wales that Hatton is in for a tough fight. Joe was the underdog when he demolished Jeff Lacy in 2006, and Hatton is the underdog against Mayweather. Because Mayweather is on another level when compared to Lacy, and the fight is being held in Mayweather's backyard, Calzaghe knows Hatton is in for a rough battle

“When I fought Jeff Lacy I was the underdog, but I used that as inspiration. Should Hatton use the fact people are writing him off as motivation then he has a chance. The Americans ‘big up’ their fighters something chronic, whereas the Brits tend to keep quiet and do their talking in the ring – like I did against Lacy. It’ll be tough for Ricky because Mayweather is in a different class to Lacy. Mayweather is a top-quality fighter and is widely acknowledged as the top pound-for-pound boxer in the world. Ricky is in Mayweather’s backyard, too, so he’ll have his work cut out," Calzaghe said.

Calzaghe still feels that Mayweather talks too much and the fighters who do too much talking are usually the ones who don't do much fighting.

“Mayweather, like Lacy, does too much talking and, in my experience, the ones that bark don’t often bite. I like to have a bit of class outside the ring and carry myself as a true champion in every aspect; so I respect my opponents. Once I get inside the ring, that’s when I start to demolish my enemies,” Calzaghe said.

Calzaghe says Hatton is very similiar to him. They both get up for the big fights.

“Ricky is similar to me as he gets up for the big fights,” said Calzaghe. “I’m pleased for Ricky securing a big fight in America and I’m in no way jealous of him. I’m not bothered about fighting in America, if it happens great but it’s not the be-all and end-all for me.

“Ricky has a chance against Mayweather, he won’t like Hatton coming back for more and more. Ricky’s a great body-puncher and he has the style to take Mayweather down a peg or two. I’ll be giving him my support. I’m going out to Vegas with a few of the lads to sample the atmosphere and, all being well, I could have a few celebratory Guinnesses with Ricky afterwards – and hearing the money he got for fighting Mayweather, he’s buying!”

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