By Mark Vester

WBC junior middleweight champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (38-0, 24KOs) was sitting back on the couch and enjoying his retirement when he saw Ricky Hatton (43-0, 31KOs) knock out Jose Luis Castillo, and then take a shot at him on national television. "You saw more excitement in those four rounds than you've seen in Floyd's whole career," Hatton said.

Mayweather told USA Today that he saw an opportunity to make some easy money and thought 'why not go get it?' The bout with Hatton is tentatively set for November 10, with Las Vegas at the top of the list to host the fight.

"I think he just wants to hear himself talk," Mayweather said. "He got in front of the media and called my name out. He didn't think I was going to respond, but it doesn't work like that. I've accomplished too much in the sport for him to disrespect me. I was serious (about retirement). I was at home, chilling peacefully. I wasn't paying attention (to Hatton). But that's easy money, so why not go get it?"

Mayweather, 30, is coming off the biggest win of his career, a split decision victory over Oscar De La Hoya in May. The De La Hoya bout set several records, including 2.15 million pay-per-view buys and generated over $150 million.

Mayweather is not impressed with Hatton as a fighter. He told USA Today that Hatton would make a better wrestler than a boxer and he should seek a contract with the WWE.

"I'm the best pound-for-pound boxer, and boxing is an art," Mayweather said. "He's a hell of a wrestler — punch, hold, punch, hold. Somebody needs to get him a contract with the WWE."

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