By Mark Vester
Ricky Hatton tells BBC Sport that his countryman, undisputed super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, throws too many punches for Bernard Hopkins to handle. Calzaghe is moving up to light heavyweight to face Hopkins on April 19 in Las Vegas, but Hatton doesn't think the jump in weight will be a factor in the fight.
"It is different fighting in America but Joe has got to believe in his ability. I think Joe is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and just too busy," Hatton said. "It did affect me [moving up against Mayweather] and you do notice a difference, but Joe is not exactly a small super-middleweight," said Hatton.
"A fighter always knows what weight they perform best at and my advice to Joe would be, don't try and make yourself into a light-heavyweight and come in too heavy. Come in at the weight you perform best at. The best Joe Calzaghe beats the best Bernard Hopkins and that's the top and bottom of it."
If he beats Hopkins, Hatton says that Calzaghe will finally get the respect he's been wanting for a long time.
"Joe is fighting one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and if he wins he will get the credit he deserves. I think he's one of the best fighters Britain has ever had."
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