Mayweather says he's ready to hurt Hatton

[rik]

Ricky Hatton wants a shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr., considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing. It looks like he might get his wish.

Mayweather said Tuesday he will come out of retirement to put Hatton in his place.

"I was retired but I'll sign to fight Hatton right now. I've tried to let the things he said about me slide by, but now he's 'dissing' me on national TV and I want to shut him up. I've never wanted to hurt an opponent like I do Hatton.

"Ricky Hatton cannot fight. He throws one punch at a time and then holds. Hatton is the most overrated fighter of the last 25 years."

Hatton's one-punch knockout win Saturday night over Jose Luis Castillo to retain his world junior welterweight championship just might have been the breakthrough the British fighter needed to convince fans outside his native country that he is the real thing at 140 pounds.

Like Mayweather, Hatton is undefeated. Unlike Mayweather, he fights in a wild, all-out style that should prove popular as he continues his campaign in the United States.

"There was more action in the four rounds of this fight than Floyd showed in his entire career," Hatton said.

Mayweather announced his retirement after beating Oscar De La Hoya last month.

Hatton's father, Ray, said that his son is ready to face Mayweather -- anywhere.

"We're up for the fight, you've got to be up for a fight like that," Ray Hatton told Radio Five Live in the United Kingdom. "But it doesn't always end with the two fighters. There tends to be a few people getting in between.

"Ricky is chomping at the bit. I've spoken to him a little bit before all this came out and he said it's a no-brainer. It's a definite yes.

"Ricky will fight him anywhere -- that's the difference between him and Floyd, who wants it on home turf."

Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's manager, said a fight could happen in the fall.

"Hatton's trying to promote himself off Floyd's name and he [Mayweather] will kick his butt. Floyd told me he wants to get the deal on," Ellerbe said, according to the Guardian newspaper. "Hatton [insulted] Floyd [on television]. But that's OK, he's had his opportunity to talk. Now all he has to do is to sign a contract and we can get this done. We can have it this year, in the fall. We don't need to wait."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2918039

[rik]

Do you guys think he's going to destroy Hatton like he destroyed De La Hoya?

"Ricky Hatton cannot fight. He throws one punch at a time and then holds. Hatton is the most overrated fighter of the last 25 years."

LMAO at this comment ^

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Yea...I was wondering wtf Mayweather was doing talkin about not throwin enough punches.

[Mac 10 †]

I think his comments were harsh and somewhat funny.

Mayweather would prolly beat Hatton but Ricky is an outstanding boxer.

What is it now 42 fights, 42 wins, 31 by K.O.?

[Sweet & Tender Hooligan]

^^^^^

Exactly.

[7even]

He has never lost a fight. I can't blame him for being cocky and condescending.

[Citizen-Y]

Mayweather is going to destroy him.

[NiCc_FrUm_ThA_nO]

Mayweather would prolly beat Hatton but Ricky is an outstanding boxer.

[Adam Donnelly]

How great would it be though to see Mayweather put on his ass.

[bez]

Will be a good fight, cos u know Ricky will train twice as hard for him.  Be dope. Deffo watching it.

[KURUPTION-81]

Will be a good fight, cos u know Ricky will train twice as hard for him.  Be dope. Deffo watching it.

yup, not a huge boxing fan but i would definatly watch this one, there two mascots 50 cent and rooney cant fight before hand with bothe been ex boxers.

[rik]

How great would it be though to see Mayweather put on his ass.

Very great.

[Hatesrats™]

I'd love to see Hatton push Mayweather around..
Ricky is a Bully in that ring, I'd pull for Hatton all the way.

But boxing being Running boxing Mayweather alway's has that Runner's chance.

[Sweet & Tender Hooligan]

How great would it be though to see Mayweather put on his ass.

Very great.

[eS El Duque]

Mayweather is going to destroy him.