Boxing: Ricky Hatton's
father has dismissed Floyd Mayweather's comments labelling the
Mancunian boxer a "phoney" as part of the American's repertoire and
described the potential fight between the two as good versus evil.
Ray Hatton says the comments are "typical Floyd Mayweather", who looks likely to come out of retirement to face Hatton in one of the most anticipated fights in recent history.
"He disrespects people in one breath and praises in another," added Ray. "It's quite amusing because we know the game and we've heard it all before. It's part of the hype and is good for boxing.
Hatton's father went on to describe Mayweather as a "brash, cocky kid" who will fight "Ricky Hatton, the kid next door who everyone likes. It's good versus bad.
However, he added: "Ricky thinks Floyd is a fantastic talent and pound for pound the best in the world.
"Ricky respects Floyd but told him that his four rounds against (Jose Luis) Castillo were more exciting than anything from the whole of Floyd's career.
"It was tongue in cheek but all good stuff. Ricky has been baiting Floyd, but it's tongue in cheek."
The likelihood of agreeing a showdown with Mayweather moved a step closer yesterday when the American's adviser Leonard Ellerbe declared they wanted to sign a deal "as soon as possible".
And Mayweather's eagerness to shelve his retirement plans has been welcomed by Hatton, whose drawing power in the United States has soared following Saturday's crushing four-round demolition of Castillo.
"We're up for the fight, you've got to be up for a fight like that," Ray Hatton told Radio Five Live. "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."
Mayweather, who defeated Oscar de la Hoya at light middleweight last month before announcing his retirement, is ready to step down a division in order to fight Hatton.
The chances of Hatton moving back up to welterweight following 12 uninspiring rounds against Luis Collazo last year appeared remote, but the 28-year-old Mancunian must compromise if he wants to face Mayweather.
Father Ray insists valuable lessons have been learned from the disappointing display against Collazo and a new approach to meeting the 147 lbs limit will be taken.
"Ricky would be prepared to come up a weight. The two camps would have to get their head around it but it's not an obstacle, not for a fight of this magnitude," he said.
"We wouldn't make the same mistake of bringing Ricky in too heavy. We would even sacrifice some of the weight so he can keep his speed."