PLANET FOOTBALL, SPORT & MUSIC

Throb · Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:17 am FIGHTING TALK FROM HATTON

"Floyd came in to the ring dressed as Russell Crowe and he ended up fighting like Sheryl Crow" Ricky Hatton

FROM BBC SPORT

Ricky Hatton remains hopeful of fighting American four-weight champion Floyd Mayweather.
Hatton will attempt to regain his IBF light welterweight crown against Juan Orango on 13 January in the States but could then line up Mayweather.

"It's a fight I would definitely want," Hatton, 28, told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I'm not scared to say he's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He has won world titles at different weights. Hopefully we can get it on."

Mayweather's trainer, his uncle Roger Mayweather, told BBC Sport earlier in the year that the fighter was interested in fighting Hatton, although not on his home soil in Manchester.

Hatton has now resolved that issue by securing a deal with TV network HBO to fight in the United States and he will take on Orango in either Las Vegas or Atlantic City next January.

However, this month Mayweather accused Hatton of demanding too much money and Hatton in turn insists that is not the case.

"He says that I've priced myself out of a fight but I wasn't even aware that I've asked for a price because my next two fights are done deals," Hatton told Sportsweek.

The Manchester fighter also suggested Mayweather, who defeated Carlos Baldomir last week to claim the WBC welterweight title, would have to raise his game if the two were to arrange a high-profile meeting in the ring.