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Ex-pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. has his reasons why it took him longer to beat Ricky Hatton compared to Manny Pacquiao’s two-round demolition of the British toughie.
"When I fought Ricky Hatton, I had 10-ounce gloves on higher weight class,” said Mayweather Jr. in a report by Reuters.
He added that he was even on the defensive when he knocked down Hatton, who was still unbeaten before they fought at 145 pounds in 2007.
“When I knocked out Ricky Hatton, I was stepping backwards with 10-ounce gloves,” said Mayweather Jr., who retired undefeated with 39 wins (25 knock outs).
He added that Hatton’s attack mode against Pacquiao can also be blamed for the stinging loss.
“Ricky Hatton didn't stick to the game plan," said Mayweather Jr.
He, however, conceded that Pacquiao did well against Hatton.
"Pacquiao went out there and did what he had to do," he said.
Unlike Mayweather Jr., who has won six world boxing titles in five different weight classes, Pacquiao knocked Hatton out cold in just two rounds.
The Filipino boxing hero defeated the British superstar when they fought at the 140-pound division, which was Hatton’s divisional turf before losing to Pacquiao.
Marquez 'the best'
The 32-year-old Mayweather Jr., meanwhile, praised Juan Manuel Marquez during a joint news conference in downtown Los Angeles on Monday (May 18).
"Marquez is a hell of a guy. A tough opponent who's been around the sport a long long time. They say to be the best, you have to beat the best. So we two are the best fighters in the sport right now, so when I come back, I don't want to fight a has-been. I want to fight one of the best in the sport. Marquez is one of the best in the sport," he said.
Mayweather Jr. will be facing Marquez for his comeback fight in July.
He said he never expected to miss boxing as much as he did after announcing his retirement last June.
"I was really missing just being around the sport," he said.
"When I fought Ricky Hatton, I had 10-ounce gloves on higher weight class,” said Mayweather Jr. in a report by Reuters.
He added that he was even on the defensive when he knocked down Hatton, who was still unbeaten before they fought at 145 pounds in 2007.
“When I knocked out Ricky Hatton, I was stepping backwards with 10-ounce gloves,” said Mayweather Jr., who retired undefeated with 39 wins (25 knock outs).
He added that Hatton’s attack mode against Pacquiao can also be blamed for the stinging loss.
“Ricky Hatton didn't stick to the game plan," said Mayweather Jr.
He, however, conceded that Pacquiao did well against Hatton.
"Pacquiao went out there and did what he had to do," he said.
Unlike Mayweather Jr., who has won six world boxing titles in five different weight classes, Pacquiao knocked Hatton out cold in just two rounds.
The Filipino boxing hero defeated the British superstar when they fought at the 140-pound division, which was Hatton’s divisional turf before losing to Pacquiao.
Marquez 'the best'
The 32-year-old Mayweather Jr., meanwhile, praised Juan Manuel Marquez during a joint news conference in downtown Los Angeles on Monday (May 18).
"Marquez is a hell of a guy. A tough opponent who's been around the sport a long long time. They say to be the best, you have to beat the best. So we two are the best fighters in the sport right now, so when I come back, I don't want to fight a has-been. I want to fight one of the best in the sport. Marquez is one of the best in the sport," he said.
Mayweather Jr. will be facing Marquez for his comeback fight in July.
He said he never expected to miss boxing as much as he did after announcing his retirement last June.
"I was really missing just being around the sport," he said.
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