By Mark Vester

Ricky Hatton, during an interview with the Daily Mail, mocked his Dec. 8 pay-per-view opponent, Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Hatton mocked Mayweather for participating in the popular reality show "Dancing with The Stars," while at the same time training for their Las Vegas showdown.

"I don't know who Floyd's partner is going to be, but she will have to do all the leading. He's known for doing a bit of back-pedalling, so I suppose it could be ideal preparation. I have no doubt in my mind that he's going to back-pedal against me," Hatton said. 

Hatton said that he would never make such a move while training for a big fight.

"It's not for me. But I don't have the ego of Floyd Mayweather. If I was fighting the worst person on the planet I still wouldn't cut any corners. But Floyd hasn't got where he has without knowing himself well. I'm sure he feels it won't affect his training," Hatton said.

Billy Graham, trainer of Hatton, thinks Mayweather may already have a possible excuse in the bag. 

"I wouldn't like Ricky doing something like this before a big fight. The fight's the most important thing. Maybe, Floyd's looking for a ready-made excuse for when he gets beaten," Graham said.

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