BOXING: Hatton still wants Mayweather
Ricky Hatton insists he is still holding out of hope of a super-fight against Floyd Mayweather despite the self-styled `Pretty Boy` announcing his retirement after last month`s win over Oscar De La Hoya.
Monday, 18 June 2007
Hatton will cement his status among his generation`s pound-for-pound greats if he turns in an explosive performance to defeat Jose Luis Castillo for the IBO light-welterweight title at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas next Saturday night.
But for Hatton a win over Castillo would simply provide a springboard the fight he really wants - a showdown with the unbeaten and hugely talented man from Grand Rapids.
Hatton is confident Mayweather will be unable to resist such an invitation because he is missing at least a couple of classic, era-defining contests from his otherwise impeccable repertoire.
Hatton said: "I don`t think Mayweather will retire because he wants to be remembered as an all-time great but to do that he has still got to do something a little bit more.
"As far as talent and boxing ability goes he is second to none but in terms of excitement I haven`t seen Mayweather in one good fight yet. He has got very negative as he has got older.
"In 10 to 15 years` time when you`re a fight historian and you look on that shelf where all the great fights are, are you going to reach for a Floyd Mayweather video?
"I think Floyd is a far better fighter than Arturo Gatti but I think people will be watching Arturo Gatti`s fights for long after they will be watching Mayweather`s. He just never gets me on the edge of my seat."
Hatton`s clash against former lightweight champion Castillo is virtually guaranteed to provide more excitement than Mayweather`s cagey points verdict over the `Golden Boy`.
The Manchester `Hit Man` - who expects to roared on by up to 10,000 travelling supporters in the scorching desert city - says he is leaving nothing for granted despite Castillo`s poor performance last time out.
Hatton added: "I would be a fool if I thought the same Castillo was going to turn up next Saturday night. He is going to be in the shape of his life because it might be his last chance.
"These are the sort of fights I live for. I`m not bothered about being remembered as the greatest of all time but I want people to watch my fights in years to come and say, there was a guy who could really fight."
u.tv © UTV News