Oscar tells Ricky not to lose his head

Oscar De La Hoya has warned Ricky Hatton not to lose his head when he first meets Floyd Mayweather face to face. De La Hoya lost a split decision to Mayweather in May and is the promoter of December's multimillion-pound showdown between Hatton and Mayweather. "I've been in some really big fights but even I had to bite my tongue when Floyd starting talking," said De La Hoya. "Floyd is the world's best trash talker and it's very hard to ignore him when he starts. Advertisement "He likes to get right in his opponents' faces and insult them - it's part of his tactics. "We went on a tour of various cities for our fight and I was close to losing my cool several times." During press conferences in New York and Los Angeles Mayweather accused De La Hoya of being an "old man", a "bitch" and of "fighting like a girl". There were several flashpoints and De La Hoya's promotional partner Bernard Hopkins had to step between them many times. De La Hoya added: "I know Ricky has a good sense of humour and he will need it when Floyd opens up. "He never stops and he just keeps on and on with the same insults. "It's like he is in a trance. It was a relief to finally get in the ring and get the fight on." The British leg of the six-city tour to promote the December showdown will include an open session with the public and the press in both Manchester and London. Mayweather said: "I'm gonna love being in front of all Hatton's fans and telling them that their man is going to get his arse kicked. I'm hearing that Hatton is not a confrontational type of guy. Well, I've got some shock news for him - he's in the wrong business! "Right now Hatton is in the Mayweather business, and that is all about confrontation." Hatton, meanwhile, has laughed off suggestions that Mayweather's insults and verbal assaults will upset his preparation. He said: "I've heard big mouths talk before and if he starts to annoy me I'll put some earplugs in."