ricky hatton will be the next Roberto Duran

[msagrain]

Ricky Hatton will evoke the spirit of Roberto Duran in his quest to become the first man to defeat Floyd Mayweather and establish himself as the No.1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

That is the view of Hatton's trainer Billy Graham, who said news of a verbal agreement between representatives of Hatton and Mayweather for a December superfight in Las Vegas is "a dream come true".

The match is expected to be made at welterweight (10st 7lb).

Advertisement
That means Hatton will move up a weight from lightwelter (10st) and Mayweather will come down a weight from light-middle (11st).

Contracts are expected to be signed in the coming days for the fight. It is set to earn Hatton around £8million and Mayweather much more.

The clash is expected to take place on December 8 in Las Vegas.

Referring to Duran's famous win over Sugar Ray Leonard in their first fight in Montreal in 1980, when Duran lured his opponent into a brawl and claimed a points win, Graham said: "This is Ricky's Sugar Ray Leonard fight.

"It's the first Duran-Leonard fight all over again. Look at how Duran won that fight and you will see how Ricky will beat Floyd.

"I have been studying Floyd for years with a view to this fight.

"Floyd is a fantastic fighter whom I respect a lot for what he has achieved.

"I never doubted this fight would be made because they are both true warriors who want to fight the best. But I know Ricky will win."

Hatton's father Ray confirmed that the "verbal agreement" was reached with Mayweather's camp shortly after returning from a trip to Las Vegas to watch Bernard Hopkins' victory over Winky Wright.

Mayweather had announced his retirement from boxing after his win over Oscar De La Hoya in May.

But he appears to have been lured back into the ring following disparaging comments by Hatton.

Hatton's representatives will sign a onefight deal with De La Hoya's Golden Boy organisation to promote the fight.

Dennis Hobson will not be involved, although he will continue to be Hatton's British promoter.

Graham added: "I already think Ricky is the best pound-for-pound fighter ever to come out of Britain but a lot of people don't agree with me.

"This fight is going to leave no room for doubt."

Ray Hatton said. "The date and venue is up in the air, but we agreed via our lawyers what the financial side of it is going to be.

"I can't honestly tell you a deal has been done until I see the signatures on all the documents. Both sides were happy with what we finalised verbally."

Dad Ray could not confirm what weight the pair would fight at, although Hatton will probably move up to meet Mayweather, who won the WBC lightmiddleweight title against De La Hoya in May.

Ricky Hatton said he wanted to take on five-weight champion Mayweather (38-0, 24 KOs) after winning the IBO lightwelterweight title last month with a knockout victory over Jose Luis Castillo.

The size of Ricky Hatton's task can be seen in the tale of the tape, in which the two fighters are compared at their title-winning weights - Hatton as a light welterweight, and Mayweather as light middleweight.

Tale OF THE TAPE

Ricky HATTON

Haight 5'7"

Weight 140lbs

Reach 66"

Chest (Normal) 37"

Chest (Expanded) 39"

Waist 30"

Biceps 13"

Neck 15"

Wrist 7"

Thigh 20 1/2 "

Fist 11"

Forearm 9 1/2 "

Floyd MAYWEATHER

Height 5' 8 3/4 "

Weight 154lbs

Reach 72"

Chest (Normal) 38 1/2 "

Chest (Expanded) 39 1/2 "

Waist 31"

Biceps 12 1/2 "

Neck 16 1/2 "

Wrist 7"

Thight 22"

Fist 8"

Forearm 11"

[Zerwas1]

Then we will see a No mas against mayweather?

[Tuggers1986]

Then we will see a No mas against Myweather?

Damn

I was too slow

[Bad Intentions]

now that hes fighting mayweather hes the next duran??

so is it safe to say that if mayweather wins hes the next SRL??

[squealpiggy]

now that hes fighting mayweather hes the next duran??

so is it safe to say that if mayweather wins hes the next SRL??

I think it's clear that this is the case already.

[PRboxingfan]

Then we will see a No mas against mayweather?

Damn, I was going to post this, too. As a matter of fact, I had a dream last night that Ricky quit on his stool against PBF in the 11th round.

[Tuggers1986]

I think it's clear that this is the case already.

Wigan to finish higher than Man City in the premiership. I know Squeal Piggy will take me up on that one

Intersested???

[adamk1304]

Ricky wouldn't quit.

[THe TRiNiTY]

Let Hatton WIN the fight, before we compare him to all-time greats, No?

[DIOS DOMINICANO]

Tale OF THE TAPE

Ricky HATTON

Haight 5'7"

Weight 140lbs

Reach 66"

Chest (Normal) 37"

Chest (Expanded) 39"

Waist 30"

Biceps 13"

Neck 15"

Wrist 7"

Thigh 20 1/2 "

Fist 11"

Forearm 9 1/2 "

Floyd MAYWEATHER

Height 5' 8 3/4 "

Weight 154lbs

Reach 72"

Chest (Normal) 38 1/2 "

Chest (Expanded) 39 1/2 "

Waist 31"

Biceps 12 1/2 "

Neck 16 1/2 "

Wrist 7"

Thight 22"

Fist 8"

Forearm 11"

Are you guys building the excuses up for when Hatton gets dominated? "Well, Mayweather was a much bigger man and Ricky was moving up in weight".

Ricky Hatton was at 140 back when PBF was a featherweight. Hatton has MANY more fights at 140+ than mayweather does. Ricky Hatton walks around at 30 pounds higher than PBF. Floyd has never weighed 154 in his life. Ricky weighed more for the Castillo fight than PBF weighed for the ODLH fight. PBF only fought at higher weights to get the big money fights...and because Hatton kept turning down fight offers.

Ricky Hatton is the heavier man....don't try to set up the excuses in advance.