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Ricky Hatton has received the backing of none other than Sugar Ray Leonard.
The boxing legend, who won world titles at five different weights, believes the Hitman has what it takes to snatch Kostya Tszyu's light-welterweight crown when they meet in Manchester this weekend.
Leonard has revealed that he has been monitoring Hatton's rise to the brink of glory and insists the challenger's all-action style and physical strength will prove too much for the reigning IBF champion.
"I watch Ricky Hatton all the time," he told The Sun. "There is so much about him that sometimes I think he is perpetual motion.
"He is aggressive, has the heart of a lion, never gives up and is never intimidated. I love watching him - he is very good for boxing. British boxing needs a Ricky Hatton right now.
"He is a throwback to the old days - an excellent fighter and a nice kid with it as well.
"It is a major test against Tszyu but I honestly believe it will be Ricky's time. He is naturally bigger than Tszyu and that will be a big deciding factor."
The support for unbeaten Hatton comes on the back of Tszyu's own revelation that he plans to adopt similar tactics against the Briton that saw Sugar Ray triumph against middleweight rival and fight favourite Marvin Hagler on a memorable night at Caesars Palace in 1987.
Leonard's famous fleet-of-foot and fist and speed around the ring nullified Hagler's legendary strength and led to a split decision success for the challenger in what was Ring Magazine's fight and upset of the year.
Tszyu has been watching the fight as part of his preparation and believes he may well have to get on his bike at the MEN Arena to cope with Hatton's come-forward style - even though he is not known for boxing off the back foot himself.
"Hagler was a big pressure fighter like Hatton but Leonard was able to turn off the pressure by using boxing skills," said Tszyu. "Maybe these will be similar tactics for me."
The champion, who will be competing for a world title for the 15th time, also claims that Hatton's infamous body-punching is largely on "swing and hope" and says he has seen weaknesses in his style that he can exploit.
But Leonard insists that the 26-year-old Manchurian has the focus, desire and demeanour to become world champion - and stay there.
"I have always said that being champion is one thing, staying there is something else entirely," he said.
"You have to remain humble. I never said anything derogatory about an opponent - Ricky is like that too."
The boxing legend, who won world titles at five different weights, believes the Hitman has what it takes to snatch Kostya Tszyu's light-welterweight crown when they meet in Manchester this weekend.
Leonard has revealed that he has been monitoring Hatton's rise to the brink of glory and insists the challenger's all-action style and physical strength will prove too much for the reigning IBF champion.
"I watch Ricky Hatton all the time," he told The Sun. "There is so much about him that sometimes I think he is perpetual motion.
"He is aggressive, has the heart of a lion, never gives up and is never intimidated. I love watching him - he is very good for boxing. British boxing needs a Ricky Hatton right now.
"He is a throwback to the old days - an excellent fighter and a nice kid with it as well.
"It is a major test against Tszyu but I honestly believe it will be Ricky's time. He is naturally bigger than Tszyu and that will be a big deciding factor."
The support for unbeaten Hatton comes on the back of Tszyu's own revelation that he plans to adopt similar tactics against the Briton that saw Sugar Ray triumph against middleweight rival and fight favourite Marvin Hagler on a memorable night at Caesars Palace in 1987.
Leonard's famous fleet-of-foot and fist and speed around the ring nullified Hagler's legendary strength and led to a split decision success for the challenger in what was Ring Magazine's fight and upset of the year.
Tszyu has been watching the fight as part of his preparation and believes he may well have to get on his bike at the MEN Arena to cope with Hatton's come-forward style - even though he is not known for boxing off the back foot himself.
"Hagler was a big pressure fighter like Hatton but Leonard was able to turn off the pressure by using boxing skills," said Tszyu. "Maybe these will be similar tactics for me."
The champion, who will be competing for a world title for the 15th time, also claims that Hatton's infamous body-punching is largely on "swing and hope" and says he has seen weaknesses in his style that he can exploit.
But Leonard insists that the 26-year-old Manchurian has the focus, desire and demeanour to become world champion - and stay there.
"I have always said that being champion is one thing, staying there is something else entirely," he said.
"You have to remain humble. I never said anything derogatory about an opponent - Ricky is like that too."
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