By James Slater: Like the rest of us, former world light-welterweight king Ricky Hatton wants very much for all the silly games to end, and for Pound-for-Pound rivals Floyd Mayweather Junior and Manny Pacquiao to get on with it and actually fight. Hatton, a fighter who enjoys a position on a small list of men to have fought both superstars, knows just how good both men are.
Hatton famously lost his unbeaten record at the hands of the sublime Mayweather, being halted in the 10th-round of a huge fight back in 2007. While “The Hitman” was later blown away by a rampaging Pacquiao; in just two-rounds back in 2009. Yet despite being manhandled by Pacquiao before he even had a chance to get into a fight, the retired Manchester legend says he favours Mayweather to win should the mega-fight take place.
Hatton tweeted:
“I’m hearing real progress is being made making Pac-Man n Mayweather. Great News. I fancy Mayweather. Pac nailed me as I was reckless, again. But Floyd was technically exceptional. I couldn’t hit the f****r with a handful of confetti. Ha Ha.”
Of course, it could be argued that Hatton was reckless against both Mayweather AND Pacquiao. Still, Hatton did at least manage to win a few rounds against Floyd – with HBO’s unofficial scorer Harold Lederman having the December 2007 fight close after seven completed rounds. But Hatton is clearly of the belief that, just because Pacquiao hits harder, he is not as complete a fighter as Mayweather is. Many other experts agree with Hatton, feeling the one-time “Pretty Boy” will have too much class, too much finesse and too much defensive ability for Pacquiao.
Now all we need is for the damn fight to get signed, sealed and delivered!
Meanwhile, bookmakers Ladbrokes have released their betting odds for the would-be fight: Mayweather has been installed as a slight favourite at 8/15 to extend his unbeaten run against Pacquiao. It is 6/4 that Pac-Man gets the win. While the draw can be betted on at 25/1.
It’s worth remembering that the bookies rarely get it wrong. I wonder – if the fight does get made, how much clash will “Money” place on himself? A cool $1million maybe?