With a combined professional record of 81 victories between them, with 55 of their opponents not making it past the 10th round, is it any wonder they called it 'Undefeated'? There are a few questions that will be asked in the lead up to this fight, but for me the only relevant one is, why did Mayweather come back to fight Hatton? Simple, he thinks it's going to be an easy fight. Let's face it, he was always coming back, but surely, not to fight 'The Hitman.'

Mayweather could have had Cotto or Mosley, but he took the Manchester banger. Ricky Hatton has taken America and particularly Vegas by storm, after dismantling Jose Luis Castillo [as expected] at light welter in June, to launch himself into super star fights with boxing's elite.

Hatton has always been a star, even before he hammered Tszyu for his IBF crown in 2005. The down to earth, salt of the earth type of guy was idolized , not only with the boxing fans, but by his own people. When he fought, he stirred emotions, and he made a connection and brought an excitement into the sold out arenas, and also into the living rooms of the people of Britain. He was a household name.

Since turning pro in 1996, Floyd Mayweather has fought and beaten everyone in his path to the 'pound for pound ' title he has today. I remember seeing him fight Jesus Chavez in '97, and although I had heard a lot about him from the amateurs, I knew he was a bit special. He did too.

Unlike Hatton he couldn't connect with his people, and although he answered every question given to him in the ring, he was failing badly outside it. Over the years he has faced world champions, and made them look like novices. After taking Genaro Hernandez's WBC super featherweight world title in impressive style in 1998, he then went on to defend his title, before jumping up to win the WBC lightweight title, beating Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. He had been in with solid opponents at the top of their game, but still, the American fight fans couldn't care less.

In 2003, he traveled back to his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to defend his title against the South African tough guy, Philip N'dou. N'dou had trained intensely for Mayweather, living in a cave atop the mountains in Africa, whilst getting ready for his toughest fight.

Mayweather battered the brave N'dou all night long, doubling up, trebling up shots, landing with pin point accuracy. He was brilliant and he just couldn't be ignored anymore. This fight made him.

After destroying Henry Bruseles, and Arturo Gatti at junior welterweight, he broke down Sharmba Mitchell, stopping him in the sixth round to set up a big money fight with Brooklyn speedster, Zab Judah. Forget about everything else that happened in his fight with Judah, the point is he beat him well, and was never going to lose. He was now a world champion at 147.

It was now the end of 2006, and next up was a unification fight with the man who also took Judah's title, Carlos 'Tata' Baldomir.

Baldomir had to have taken this fight just for the money. He had no chance, and in the fight he was way out of his league.

Where could Mayweather go now? Huge fights at welterweight? No, a jump up in weight to fight at 154, with 'The Golden Boy,' Oscar De La Hoya. Unbelievable! It was billed as 'The World Awaits' and it was brilliantly promoted to eclipse all previous records for pay per view; both fighters fought to a sold out MGM Grand.

Like Baldomir, and Mayweather's 37 previous opponents, De La Hoya couldn't work out the genius of 'The Pretty Boy.' He tried but was too slow, and could only fight in spurts. I was ringside and I had Mayweather winning easily on my scorecard, but the judges scored it a lot closer for De La Hoya. Mayweather won by a split decision. Before I move on from that, Mayweather fought a great tactical fight, and controlled the fight, but I got the feeling he also fought for a points win. If he does this against Hatton, he will be a fool.

Okay, we have asked why Mayweather took this fight and not Cotto or Mosley, so now we have to ask the same of Hatton? Simple, he wants Mayweather's pound for pound status.

When I trained with Hatton in 2004, in preparation and researching material for my book, I asked him how long would he be fighting for. I knew he had made millions and he loved his time in between fights when he wasn't training and dieting, so I was interested to know. He told me he wanted Tszyu, then fight unification fights, and hopefully fight the best fighter in the world, Floyd Mayweather.

Hatton fights like he lives and that's hard, so between training and fighting to the maximum, then living it up big time in between, he dosn't have too many fights left in him. To be honest, I really thought he would fight Miguel Cotto then he would be out of boxing for ever.

Like Mayweather, Hatton has dominated his opponents, and battered their livers with chilling ease since 1997. Without doubt, his best night in the ring was when he dismantled the great Russian, Kostya Tszyu, to win his 140lb title. The passion and will to win that night in Manchester was fantastic, and he has to capture it again when he faces Mayweather.

When he fought the tough and determined New Yorker Luis Collazo for the WBA welterweight title in May, 2006,  he, for whatever reason , just wasn't the same at 147. Mayweather knows this, and he is coming back down where he will be even faster than he was against Oscar.

Floyd Jr. also knows Hatton is wide open to the hook counterpunch as he throws his half uppercut, half jab wildly, outwards exposing his jaw. If Mayweather's people are smart, they will watch all the tapes, because that's where Tszyu made the mistake. I asked Tszyu what he thought of Hatton after giving him my collection to watch. He said, 'he is nothing.'

The truth be known, Hatton is something, he is an aggressive, underestimated boxer, who has a lot of heart. Just look at the Collazo fight. He is dedicated in his preparations, and he also carries his feared signature body punch into the fight.


My Prediction.

When Hatton comes to Vegas, he will be in the best shape of his life. [He has to be].  He wont be alone either. He will be accompanied by twelve thousand fans, who will be invading Vegas for the week. I know that's not going to win you a fight, but knowing this will spur him on in training and the fight itself. He has weaknesses, yes, and he has problems with fighters who have fast hands. Another factor is experience.

Mayweather has made a career out of fighting world champions. When Mayweather was winning his first world title, Hatton was still fighting in six rounders. Hatton will have no problems fighting into the championship rounds, as he has done so on 7 occasions. Floyd has done so 10 times. At 28, I really feel Hatton has peaked, and is peaking.

Mayweather also has weaknesses. His hands. Are they ready for war? Has his chin really been tested? Castillo??

I also think he will be smaller on the night, and will he be able to handle the Hatton onslaught? He is, however, the best defensive fighter in the world and his boxing skills are punch perfect. Tremendous athlete in the gym, and the ultimate professional.

As I said before all these questions will be answered, but for me the only question once they get in the ring is, can Mayweather handle Hatton's 'ugliness'?

Hatton will come out fast, lunging, bouncing full of adrenalin, throwing everything at 'The Pretty Boy.' With every emotion stirring through his body, he will be as aggressive as the referee will allow him to be. This could be a factor in the fight. He will have to push Mayweather back, while not trying to smother his own work, and hit Mayweather in the head, the neck, and even the balls. If he gets a warning , he will keep coming. Sounds unsportsmanlike I know, but it's his only chance of victory, and the only way I see it.  If Hatton lets Mayweather dictate the pace then he will get banged up and lose badly on points. If he hurts Mayweather to the body, he wins.

HATTON BY TKO IN 7TH ROUND.

Questions? Comments? Email Gary Todd here

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Gary Todd is an international author with his book on world champions, 'Workouts From Boxing's Greatest Champs' He has been involved in all aspects in the sport of boxing, and he is a proud member of the 'Boxing Writers Association Of America.

8-30-2007