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HATTON v MAYWEATHER ON SKY
Ricky Hatton's massive showdown with Floyd Mayweather later this year will be screened live on Sky Box Office.
Sky has won the exclusive live rights for the biggest fight of the year as two undefeated world champions go head-to-head in Las Vegas on Saturday December 8.
The welterweight clash pits Britain's current world light-welterweight champion, undefeated in his 43 fights, against the man rated best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Pretty Boy Mayweather has won world titles at five weight levels and defeated Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC light-middleweight title in his last fight. He remains undefeated in his 38 professional fights.
Announcing the deal, Vic Wakeling, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: "We are expecting this to be Britain's biggest fight since Bruno-Tyson in 1996 and it will make Ricky the biggest earner for a single fight in the history of British boxing. He deserves it.
"Ricky takes one big fight after another, and this could be the toughest of the lot; in Las Vegas against an unbeaten fighter who is rated as one of the greatest of the modern era."
Many of Hatton's defining fights have been live on Sky, including his first British title victory, his memorable defeat of Kostya Tszyu for the IBF World title and victory over Luis Collazo to become a two-weight world champion.
And Hatton is counting down the hours to his next big fight.
He told Sky Sports News: "To become the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet would be something else - and I cannot wait.
"Many may see me as the underdog but I do fancy my chances.
"I always wanted to fight him (Mayweather) and I thought I'd lost my chance when he retired.
"But when he said he'd come back and fight me I was absolutely over the moon.
"To fight the best boxer on the planet and have the chance to become the best fighter on the planet is beyond words."
Meanwhile, Hatton is not too concerned that Mayweather does not rate the chances of the Manchester fighter.
Michigan-born Mayweather has criticised Hatton's weight before but the latter continued on Sky Sports News: "I don't think there's anything personal - he's a very skilful fighter.
"He says he's going hit me in the belly - hopefully he'll come close enough.
"If it was anyone else the disrespect may shock you - but he's been doing it for many years, before the fight was announced.
"I don't take much notice, it's getting quite amusing now. I'm more bothered about my own preparations being spot-on."
Only 3,900 tickets have been made available for fans of Hatton, something which the English fighter is furious about.
Around 10,000 went to America last time and there was demand for about 20,000 this time - but Hatton added: "My fans are very vocal and I'll do them proud."
Ricky Hatton's massive showdown with Floyd Mayweather later this year will be screened live on Sky Box Office.
Sky has won the exclusive live rights for the biggest fight of the year as two undefeated world champions go head-to-head in Las Vegas on Saturday December 8.
The welterweight clash pits Britain's current world light-welterweight champion, undefeated in his 43 fights, against the man rated best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Pretty Boy Mayweather has won world titles at five weight levels and defeated Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC light-middleweight title in his last fight. He remains undefeated in his 38 professional fights.
Announcing the deal, Vic Wakeling, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: "We are expecting this to be Britain's biggest fight since Bruno-Tyson in 1996 and it will make Ricky the biggest earner for a single fight in the history of British boxing. He deserves it.
"Ricky takes one big fight after another, and this could be the toughest of the lot; in Las Vegas against an unbeaten fighter who is rated as one of the greatest of the modern era."
Many of Hatton's defining fights have been live on Sky, including his first British title victory, his memorable defeat of Kostya Tszyu for the IBF World title and victory over Luis Collazo to become a two-weight world champion.
And Hatton is counting down the hours to his next big fight.
He told Sky Sports News: "To become the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet would be something else - and I cannot wait.
"Many may see me as the underdog but I do fancy my chances.
"I always wanted to fight him (Mayweather) and I thought I'd lost my chance when he retired.
"But when he said he'd come back and fight me I was absolutely over the moon.
"To fight the best boxer on the planet and have the chance to become the best fighter on the planet is beyond words."
Meanwhile, Hatton is not too concerned that Mayweather does not rate the chances of the Manchester fighter.
Michigan-born Mayweather has criticised Hatton's weight before but the latter continued on Sky Sports News: "I don't think there's anything personal - he's a very skilful fighter.
"He says he's going hit me in the belly - hopefully he'll come close enough.
"If it was anyone else the disrespect may shock you - but he's been doing it for many years, before the fight was announced.
"I don't take much notice, it's getting quite amusing now. I'm more bothered about my own preparations being spot-on."
Only 3,900 tickets have been made available for fans of Hatton, something which the English fighter is furious about.
Around 10,000 went to America last time and there was demand for about 20,000 this time - but Hatton added: "My fans are very vocal and I'll do them proud."
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