By Mark Vester

According to The Guardian Unlimited, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton is in great shape, weighing 148-pounds, one-pound above the welterweight limit, at a test weigh-in held by the British Boxing Board of Control. Hatton challenges Mayweather for the WBC welterweight title on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

He reportedly lost close to 40-pounds since entering training camp in Manchester, and already walks around at the welterweight limit with more than three weeks to go until the fight. Hatton has a reputation for struggling with weight, but this time he appears to be in the best shape of his career.

Hatton told the paper that he feels more confident as the weeks get closer to fight and he feels no pressure weighing down on his shoulders. He heads to the states on November 22 to wrap up his camp.

"I don't have no pressure on me. I've never been more confident. I'm ahead of schedule and nobody is giving me a chance and that's the way I like it," Hatton said. "Floyd is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and if I beat him I'd like to think I was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world but I'll leave others to decide. If I beat him I couldn't give a sh*t what anyone says."

Hatton can't remember the last time that British boxer had such a strong run in the sport, he wants to beat Mayweather to put the icing on the cake. 

"I don't think British boxing has been so good for as long as I can remember," Hatton said. "When did you have seven world champions in one era? And if I can beat Mayweather that really would be the icing on the cake."

He doubts that Mayweather, who called him one-dimensional, has the power to keep him from pushing forward and throwing a high volume of punches to steal the rounds.

"He's called me a bit one-dimensional but people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The first six rounds he wants to make you miss and then he tends to come on. I come stronger the second half and I strongly believe Floyd will stay back on the ropes trying to soak it all up and the fight will run away from him. Floyd's got the ability and the hand speed and the boxing ability but has he got the firepower to stop me getting all over him for 12 rounds?"

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com