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Ricky Hatton is relishing his role being cast as the underdog for Saturday night's super-fight with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.
Hatton, 45-1 (32 KOs), will put his light-welterweight title on the line against a former four-division world champion widely regarded as the best fighter in contemporary boxing.
Pacquiao brought the curtain down on Oscar De La Hoya's career in a classy eight round showing in December in his most recent bout - a welterweight contest - and the Filipino star is the clear favourite with Las Vegas bookmakers as a consequence.
Belief
The Hitman insists he can defy the odds and his critics, though, and prove himself worthy of a place at the summit of the pound-for-pound charts.
"If it does go against me, I will be shocked," Hatton said. "And I say that with no disrespect for my opponent.
"But just standing next to him - and I hope this doesn't come back to haunt me because he can punch - the first thing that goes through my mind is: 'How is this man going to keep me off him for 12 rounds?' That's how confident I feel.
"I saw a poll of something like 40 writers across Britain and America, and 35 of them picked him. That's inspiration for me right there.
"I've always been the underdog throughout my career. I don't think anyone ever expected me to get this far.
"I was just seen as an exciting ticket seller who fought in Manchester, who fought in England, put too much weight on, doesn't live the life, and all of this."
Style
The Mancunian's switch to work with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr has paid dividends and Hatton is confident he now has the right blend of skills and strength to succeed.
"In the years gone by I'd always shown in glimpses I had a good jab and boxing ability but in too may fights I hadn't been showing it," Hatton added.
"In all my fights I thought I was just going to roll over every one. Obviously when I fought Floyd Jr he humbled me and showed me that I better go back to basics, even though that fight was at 147 pounds.
"It showed me that you can't steamroll everyone, but I am still a pressure fighter. You couldn't say for the Paulie Malignaggi fight that I resorted back to the old Ricky Hatton.
"Everybody is saying I'll resort back to a brawling style but resort back to what? I don't think I've changed a great deal, I'm just more polished in certain areas."
SOURCE:SkySports
Hatton, 45-1 (32 KOs), will put his light-welterweight title on the line against a former four-division world champion widely regarded as the best fighter in contemporary boxing.
Pacquiao brought the curtain down on Oscar De La Hoya's career in a classy eight round showing in December in his most recent bout - a welterweight contest - and the Filipino star is the clear favourite with Las Vegas bookmakers as a consequence.
Belief
The Hitman insists he can defy the odds and his critics, though, and prove himself worthy of a place at the summit of the pound-for-pound charts.
"If it does go against me, I will be shocked," Hatton said. "And I say that with no disrespect for my opponent.
"But just standing next to him - and I hope this doesn't come back to haunt me because he can punch - the first thing that goes through my mind is: 'How is this man going to keep me off him for 12 rounds?' That's how confident I feel.
"I saw a poll of something like 40 writers across Britain and America, and 35 of them picked him. That's inspiration for me right there.
"I've always been the underdog throughout my career. I don't think anyone ever expected me to get this far.
"I was just seen as an exciting ticket seller who fought in Manchester, who fought in England, put too much weight on, doesn't live the life, and all of this."
Style
The Mancunian's switch to work with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr has paid dividends and Hatton is confident he now has the right blend of skills and strength to succeed.
"In the years gone by I'd always shown in glimpses I had a good jab and boxing ability but in too may fights I hadn't been showing it," Hatton added.
"In all my fights I thought I was just going to roll over every one. Obviously when I fought Floyd Jr he humbled me and showed me that I better go back to basics, even though that fight was at 147 pounds.
"It showed me that you can't steamroll everyone, but I am still a pressure fighter. You couldn't say for the Paulie Malignaggi fight that I resorted back to the old Ricky Hatton.
"Everybody is saying I'll resort back to a brawling style but resort back to what? I don't think I've changed a great deal, I'm just more polished in certain areas."
SOURCE:SkySports
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