HATTON MOCKS 'DANCING MAYWEATHER'
The decision by 'Pretty Boy' Floyd Mayweather Jr to appear in the US version of Strictly Come Dancing while training for his big fight against Ricky Hatton has been met with derision by the Mancunian 'Hitman'.
Speaking in the Daily Mail, Hatton mocked his opponent, who has signed up to appear alongside Spice Girl Melanie Brown and Marie Osmond in Dancing With The Stars on ABC TV.
He said: "I don't know who Floyd's partner is going to be, but she will have to do all the leading.
"He's known for doing a bit of back-pedalling, so I suppose it could be ideal preparation. I have no doubt in my mind that he's going to back-pedal against me."
Should he reach the final of the ten-week series Mayweather, 30, will have less than two weeks before enters the ring in Las Vegas for the welterweight bout on December 8.
28-year-old Hatton, who is undefeated in 43 fights, could collect £10million and, as a result of the clash, widely regarded as the fight of the year, achieve legendary status.
Mayweather, unbeaten in 38 fights, is considered to be the best pound for pound fighter in the world and, despite the sideshow surrounding his aspirations on the dance floor, the Hatton camp are under no illusions about his ability as a boxer.
Trainer Billy Graham said: "I've never seen Mayweather in anything but the best shape for every fight.
"He might be trying to insinuate that he's not taking this one seriously so that he'll lull us into a false sense of security.
"But that won't happen. We couldn't care less what he does. All we're concerned with is getting Ricky right for the fight - and he will be."
Hatton said he would never contemplate a stunt like Mayweather's at the same time as preparing for what is probably the most important fight of his career.
He said: "It's not for me. But I don't have the ego of Floyd Mayweather.
"If I was fighting the worst person on the planet I still wouldn't cut any corners.
"But Floyd hasn't got where he has without knowing himself well. I'm sure he feels it won't affect his training."
Graham added: "I wouldn't like Ricky doing something like this before a big fight.
"As far as I'm concerned, when a fighter's in full training all he should do is train, eat and sleep. But whatever Floyd Mayweather does doesn't surprise me.
"If you do something in small doses to ease the boredom of training, it might help. But you've got to be careful.
"The fight's the most important thing. Maybe, Floyd's looking for a ready-made excuse for when he gets beaten."
The decision by 'Pretty Boy' Floyd Mayweather Jr to appear in the US version of Strictly Come Dancing while training for his big fight against Ricky Hatton has been met with derision by the Mancunian 'Hitman'.
Speaking in the Daily Mail, Hatton mocked his opponent, who has signed up to appear alongside Spice Girl Melanie Brown and Marie Osmond in Dancing With The Stars on ABC TV.
He said: "I don't know who Floyd's partner is going to be, but she will have to do all the leading.
"He's known for doing a bit of back-pedalling, so I suppose it could be ideal preparation. I have no doubt in my mind that he's going to back-pedal against me."
Should he reach the final of the ten-week series Mayweather, 30, will have less than two weeks before enters the ring in Las Vegas for the welterweight bout on December 8.
28-year-old Hatton, who is undefeated in 43 fights, could collect £10million and, as a result of the clash, widely regarded as the fight of the year, achieve legendary status.
Mayweather, unbeaten in 38 fights, is considered to be the best pound for pound fighter in the world and, despite the sideshow surrounding his aspirations on the dance floor, the Hatton camp are under no illusions about his ability as a boxer.
Trainer Billy Graham said: "I've never seen Mayweather in anything but the best shape for every fight.
"He might be trying to insinuate that he's not taking this one seriously so that he'll lull us into a false sense of security.
"But that won't happen. We couldn't care less what he does. All we're concerned with is getting Ricky right for the fight - and he will be."
Hatton said he would never contemplate a stunt like Mayweather's at the same time as preparing for what is probably the most important fight of his career.
He said: "It's not for me. But I don't have the ego of Floyd Mayweather.
"If I was fighting the worst person on the planet I still wouldn't cut any corners.
"But Floyd hasn't got where he has without knowing himself well. I'm sure he feels it won't affect his training."
Graham added: "I wouldn't like Ricky doing something like this before a big fight.
"As far as I'm concerned, when a fighter's in full training all he should do is train, eat and sleep. But whatever Floyd Mayweather does doesn't surprise me.
"If you do something in small doses to ease the boredom of training, it might help. But you've got to be careful.
"The fight's the most important thing. Maybe, Floyd's looking for a ready-made excuse for when he gets beaten."
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