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Floyd Mayweather is the world's pound for pound king and few could argue that recognition after he has secured world titles at five weight classes and is unbeaten in 38 fights with 24 knockouts. After defeating Oscar De La Hoya in May this year he announced his retirement but as expected that was short lived. Unbeaten Jr-welterweight Ricky Hatton called out "Pretty Boy" after his June stoppage of Jose Luis Castillo in Vegas and the 29 year old responded with the signature of their December 8th match for the WBC 147 pound crown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight sold out with 15,000 tickets snapped up within thirty minutes of going on sale last week. On Friday he took time out to talk to ********* about his upcoming "superfight" against Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton in Manchester.
Floyd, why did you come out of retirement to take on Ricky Hatton?
After the De La Hoya fight I had achieved so much in boxing and was pound for pound champion and didn't feel I needed to establish myself further. Only God can judge me and not boxing but everything about the fight with Ricky Hatton was right and he did upset me with some of his comments about me after the Castillo fight. We are both here now and on December 8th be sure you will see the best of Floyd Mayweather. He is not going to take my crown of the undisputed king of boxing.
Did anything in the Castillo fight show you anything that worried you about Ricky Hatton and his body punches?
No. Let's face it Castillo was a shot fighter. Ricky looked good but caught him on the way down. I fought Castillo twice when he was in his prime, not when he was passed it after many wars and tough fights. Castillo is no benchmark to say you can beat the best fighter in the world.
What about Ricky's win over Kostya Tszyu?
This is a similar situation but we all know Kostya Tszyu was a great champion but he had been out of the ring for over a year and had some bad injuries. His fitness would not have been the best and although I respect his win over Tszyu but again this is not the fight that showed Hatton is in the same league as the Pretty Boy.
Some say Ricky's aggressive style will cause you problems. He is likely to be in your face and attack at every opportunity. Does that worry you?
The thing about Hatton is that he has a big heart and you must respect that but he is one dimensional. He comes forward in straight lines. He is easy to read and easy to predict. I can plan what to do because I know exactly what he is going to do on December 8th. I am too fast and too quick and my strength is my mental skill not physical. I will out think him and he will not be able to handle my flexibility and what I have got at 147 pounds.
How do you predict the fight?
Did you see the fights against the late and great Diego Corrales and Arturo Gatti? They have similar styles to Hatton and they came forward. People ask will I run and in these two fights I stood in the centre and traded with them and wore them down. I can adapt to any style of fighter but the come forward style of Hatton, like Corrales and Gatti is made for me to show my full range of boxing skills. Hatton, like all the other fighters will be no match for the pound for pound champion.
How do you view the criticism of you dancing in the key build up weeks to the fight?
People don't understand that this is business and I am not underestimating Hatton but 20 million people watch the programme in the USA and this is good exposure for the "Pretty Boy" to show his entertaining skills. My uncle Roger will not let this affect my training and build up for this fight and it will be a good form of relaxation for me. Don't worry I will be in my best shape, best prepared and ready to beat Ricky Hatton. There is no issue with this.
It is estimated that 20,000 British Fans will come to Vegas to help Ricky in the build up and fight. Are you surprised so many will travel?
I know Ricky has a great fan base and a great support but he cannot bring this into the ring with him. When the bell rings it will be Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton and no fan can help punch me or take a punch. Nevertheless it will make for a great Vegas weekend and a great spectacle for the fans all across the world. I hope they will join me after the fight to party in Vegas.
What are your plans after the Hatton fight?
Me and my team are working on a plan to come to the UK next year and my next fight after Hatton could be in England. I am not sure who I would fight but it would be great to come back. I know the fans love Ricky but they have made me feel welcome in the UK.
* * *
There is no doubt boxing's undisputed pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather is focused and confident for his showdown with the popular two-weight champion Hatton and with the fight being sold to over 167 countries the bout is sure to attract a major global audience on December 8th 2007 in Vegas.
Floyd, why did you come out of retirement to take on Ricky Hatton?
After the De La Hoya fight I had achieved so much in boxing and was pound for pound champion and didn't feel I needed to establish myself further. Only God can judge me and not boxing but everything about the fight with Ricky Hatton was right and he did upset me with some of his comments about me after the Castillo fight. We are both here now and on December 8th be sure you will see the best of Floyd Mayweather. He is not going to take my crown of the undisputed king of boxing.
Did anything in the Castillo fight show you anything that worried you about Ricky Hatton and his body punches?
No. Let's face it Castillo was a shot fighter. Ricky looked good but caught him on the way down. I fought Castillo twice when he was in his prime, not when he was passed it after many wars and tough fights. Castillo is no benchmark to say you can beat the best fighter in the world.
What about Ricky's win over Kostya Tszyu?
This is a similar situation but we all know Kostya Tszyu was a great champion but he had been out of the ring for over a year and had some bad injuries. His fitness would not have been the best and although I respect his win over Tszyu but again this is not the fight that showed Hatton is in the same league as the Pretty Boy.
Some say Ricky's aggressive style will cause you problems. He is likely to be in your face and attack at every opportunity. Does that worry you?
The thing about Hatton is that he has a big heart and you must respect that but he is one dimensional. He comes forward in straight lines. He is easy to read and easy to predict. I can plan what to do because I know exactly what he is going to do on December 8th. I am too fast and too quick and my strength is my mental skill not physical. I will out think him and he will not be able to handle my flexibility and what I have got at 147 pounds.
How do you predict the fight?
Did you see the fights against the late and great Diego Corrales and Arturo Gatti? They have similar styles to Hatton and they came forward. People ask will I run and in these two fights I stood in the centre and traded with them and wore them down. I can adapt to any style of fighter but the come forward style of Hatton, like Corrales and Gatti is made for me to show my full range of boxing skills. Hatton, like all the other fighters will be no match for the pound for pound champion.
How do you view the criticism of you dancing in the key build up weeks to the fight?
People don't understand that this is business and I am not underestimating Hatton but 20 million people watch the programme in the USA and this is good exposure for the "Pretty Boy" to show his entertaining skills. My uncle Roger will not let this affect my training and build up for this fight and it will be a good form of relaxation for me. Don't worry I will be in my best shape, best prepared and ready to beat Ricky Hatton. There is no issue with this.
It is estimated that 20,000 British Fans will come to Vegas to help Ricky in the build up and fight. Are you surprised so many will travel?
I know Ricky has a great fan base and a great support but he cannot bring this into the ring with him. When the bell rings it will be Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton and no fan can help punch me or take a punch. Nevertheless it will make for a great Vegas weekend and a great spectacle for the fans all across the world. I hope they will join me after the fight to party in Vegas.
What are your plans after the Hatton fight?
Me and my team are working on a plan to come to the UK next year and my next fight after Hatton could be in England. I am not sure who I would fight but it would be great to come back. I know the fans love Ricky but they have made me feel welcome in the UK.
* * *
There is no doubt boxing's undisputed pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather is focused and confident for his showdown with the popular two-weight champion Hatton and with the fight being sold to over 167 countries the bout is sure to attract a major global audience on December 8th 2007 in Vegas.
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