Mayweather’s trainer dismisses Hatton’s form

LAS VEGAS – England’s Ricky Hatton is in the best shape of his career for his showdown with fellow unbeaten Floyd Mayweather here December 8 for the World Boxing Council welterweight crown.

“He is stronger than he has ever been. I think a lot of guys are going to be shocked at Ricky’s strength,” said Hatton conditioning coach Kerry Kayes.But Roger Mayweather, trainer for the US champion, dismisses such talk and says his nephew’s superior skill will be the only thing that matters.”What he’s eating, that ain’t got (anything) to do with the fight.Skill wins fights.That’s the only thing that does,” the elder Mayweather said Tuesday.”No way he’s going to win the fight.I don’t care how he’s conditioned.We’re not in a weightlifting contest.We’re in a boxing match.”Mayweather, 30, is 38-0 with 24 knockouts, having won six world titles in five weight classes, while Hatton, 29, is 43-0 with 31 knockouts and a former World Boxing Association champion.Hatton’s trainer, Billy Graham, laughed off his rival trainer’s threats and boasts.”If he’s not concerned about Ricky he’s a fool and I don’t think he’s a fool,” Graham said of Floyd.”Their team is too experienced to underestimate Ricky Hatton.They know it’s more complicated than what they’re saying.”Roger Mayweather promises his fighter will not underestimate Hatton, delivering the same skill that humbled Oscar de la Hoya last May.”He didn’t lose because he doesn’t take his opponents lightly.He will bring it to the table,” the elder Mayweather said.”There has never been a fighter from where he’s from.All the best fighters are from where I’m from.Let him come.We’ve got something for him.”He’s going to knock on the door.Somebody is going to answer him with a baseball bat aside of his …head.He’s going to bring his face and Floyd’s going to bust the hell out of it too.He’s going to bust his ass.”Graham praised Mayweather but promised victory for his man as well.”Floyd Mayweather is an absolutely fantastic fighter.He’s great on defense.His hands are magnificent.He’s a warrior.But Ricky Hatton will beat him,” said Graham.”I see him completely on top of his game.He’s at his absolute peak.So is Ricky Hatton.That’s what makes this fight so appealing.”Ricky is more intense the others but he’s also a lot smarter.I don’t think Floyd has faced a more skilled pressure fighter than Ricky.I know he hasn’t because there isn’t another more skilled pressure fighter on the planet.”Floyd Mayweather has called Hatton a “bitch” and “Vicky” but Graham laughs off the insults.”Let’s face it, if somebody calls you a bitch and it affects you, you had better get another job,” Graham said.”He can call him Babyface for all I care.I find it amusing.”* Meanwile, Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko and Russia’s Sultan Ibragimov will fight here February 23 in a heavyweight title showdown at Madison Square Garden, ESPN reported Tuesday.The bout will be the first meeting of rival heavyweight champions since Britain’s Lennox Lewis defeated US veteran Evander Holyfield in 1999.Klitschko owns the International Boxing Federation title while Ibragimov holds the lesser-regarded World Boxing Organisation throne.Together with unbeaten World Boxing Association champion Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekhistan and World Boxing Council champion Oleg Maskaev, a Kazak-born Russian-American, all heavyweight titles belong to ex-Soviet Union fighters.Maskaev, 34-5 with 26 knockouts, will risk his crown February 2 at Madison Square Garden against Nigerian Samuel Peter, 29-1 with 22 knockouts, and that fight plus Klitschko-Ibragimov could be the first steps toward reunifying the crowns.Nampa-AFPI think a lot of guys are going to be shocked at Ricky’s strength,” said Hatton conditioning coach Kerry Kayes.But Roger Mayweather, trainer for the US champion, dismisses such talk and says his nephew’s superior skill will be the only thing that matters.”What he’s eating, that ain’t got (anything) to do with the fight.Skill wins fights.That’s the only thing that does,” the elder Mayweather said Tuesday.”No way he’s going to win the fight.I don’t care how he’s conditioned.We’re not in a weightlifting contest.We’re in a boxing match.”Mayweather, 30, is 38-0 with 24 knockouts, having won six world titles in five weight classes, while Hatton, 29, is 43-0 with 31 knockouts and a former World Boxing Association champion.Hatton’s trainer, Billy Graham, laughed off his rival trainer’s threats and boasts.”If he’s not concerned about Ricky he’s a fool and I don’t think he’s a fool,” Graham said of Floyd.”Their team is too experienced to underestimate Ricky Hatton.They know it’s more complicated than what they’re saying.”Roger Mayweather promises his fighter will not underestimate Hatton, delivering the same skill that humbled Oscar de la Hoya last May.”He didn’t lose because he doesn’t take his opponents lightly.He will bring it to the table,” the elder Mayweather said.”There has never been a fighter from where he’s from.All the best fighters are from where I’m from.Let him come.We’ve got something for him.”He’s going to knock on the door.Somebody is going to answer him with a baseball bat aside of his …head.He’s going to bring his face and Floyd’s going to bust the hell out of it too.He’s going to bust his ass.”Graham praised Mayweather but promised victory for his man as well.”Floyd Mayweather is an absolutely fantastic fighter.He’s great on defense.His hands are magnificent.He’s a warrior.But Ricky Hatton will beat him,” said Graham.”I see him completely on top of his game.He’s at his absolute peak.So is Ricky Hatton.That’s what makes this fight so appealing.”Ricky is more intense the others but he’s also a lot smarter.I don’t think Floyd has faced a more skilled pressure fighter than Ricky.I know he hasn’t because there isn’t another more skilled pressure fighter on the planet.”Floyd Mayweather has called Hatton a “bitch” and “Vicky” but Graham laughs off the insults.”Let’s face it, if somebody calls you a bitch and it affects you, you had better get another job,” Graham said.”He can call him Babyface for all I care.I find it amusing.”* Meanwile, Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko and Russia’s Sultan Ibragimov will fight here February 23 in a heavyweight title showdown at Madison Square Garden, ESPN reported Tuesday.The bout will be the first meeting of rival heavyweight champions since Britain’s Lennox Lewis defeated US veteran Evander Holyfield in 1999.Klitschko owns the International Boxing Federation title while Ibragimov holds the lesser-regarded World Boxing Organisation throne.Together with unbeaten World Boxing Association champion Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekhistan and World Boxing Council champion Oleg Maskaev, a Kazak-born Russian-American, all heavyweight titles belong to ex-Soviet Union fighters.Maskaev, 34-5 with 26 knockouts, will risk his crown February 2 at Madison Square Garden against Nigerian Samuel Peter, 29-1 with 22 knockouts, and that fight plus Klitschko-Ibragimov could be the first steps toward reunifying the crowns.Nampa-AFP