27.10.07 – By James Slater: Last night, as a studio guest for Sky Sports television here in the U.K, Ricky Hatton looked as though he is almost ready right now for his upcoming super fight with pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather. Offering his expertise on the panel as his good friend Jamie Moore boxed his tougher than expected rematch with Andrew Facey, Hatton informed viewers of his current weight.
Already, after having put in a good deal of work with trainer Billy Graham, Hatton is down to 153 pounds. With just under a full two months to go until the first bell for “Undefeated,” it’s clear that “The Hitman” is leaving nothing to chance with regards to his preparations.
Viewers were also treated to some very recent footage of Hatton putting himself through his paces with Graham. It must be said, the 29 year-old looked absolutely magnificent even when only half way through the tough work of getting himself ready for the biggest fight of his life. Hatton’s stomach muscles in particular were impressive. Pretty much sporting a six-pack already, the unbeaten light-welterweight king appeared strong and toned. On the evidence of what viewers saw last night, Hatton is training harder than ever before.
Ricky has done six rounds on the torturous training device known as “the body belt” so far and will soon be stepping up to his usual fifteen rounds. The sparring begins next week. Promising to do his vast number of fans proud on December 8th, Hatton seems focused like never before – which is to include the pre-fight preparations that led to his great win over Kostya Tszyu. Of course, over on the other side of the Atlantic, Floyd Mayweather will be putting in just as much effort as he always does. At this early stage, however, it looks like Hatton is putting in EVEN MORE effort than he has in the past.
With no sluggishness to overcome in mid-ring this time due to what appears to have been a perfect training camp so far, Hatton just might push the brilliant Mayweather to the absolute limit. Put it this way, judging by how fit Ricky looked last night, “Pretty Boy” had better be aware that the Ricky Hatton he steps in the ring with will not be a guy who has repeated the weight gaining mistakes he made when boxing his only other fight at welterweight – against Luis Collazo. Floyd Mayweather will not be meeting THAT Ricky Hatton, that’s for absolute certain.
“There’s one thing I know, and that’s boxing,” said Hatton last night. “I’m a lot cleverer than people think.”
It seems Hatton’s mental strength will match his physical prowess for this one.