Hatton warns Team Pacquiao

Ricky Hatton says Manny Pacquiao's camp are underestimating him ahead of their Sky Box Office clash on 2nd May.

The Pacman's trainer Freddie Roach says his man will destroy the Hitman inside three rounds when they clash at the MGM Grand.

Meanwhile his promoter Bob Arum believes Hatton struggles against southpaws as he prepares to face probably the best lefty of them all.

But Hatton isn't worried by the talk and predictions coming from the opposition camp, and shot down their claims.

He said: "A lot of people say I've struggled against southpaws. I'm only putting that down to the fact that against Luis Collazo it was a very tought fight but it was up at 147. Stand Collazo next to Manny Pacquiao - he was a big fast southpaw. If you stood him next to Manny it would be like David and Goliath to be honest. If that's struggling I'd say more of a weight than southpaw.

"And against Juan Urango it wasn't one of my best performances but if anybody remembers that fight, I came down with a virus before the fight. I was boxing the ears off him for six or seven rounds and then due to the illness I blew up and made it heavy weather.

"I just think the Pacquiao people have underestimated me full stop. If they think I struggle with southpaws, and they think Manny's going to knock me out in three rounds, brilliant. Bring it on. I think against Kostya Tszyu I started a 7-1 underdog.

Struggled

"Just because Bob Arum says I struggle with southpaws, don't expect me to s**t myself. I know what I'm doing, I know what I'm capable of and there's no doubt in my mind what's going to happen on May 2.

"But saying is one thing, doing is another. But me Floyd, my camp, is very positvive. It is clutching at straws a little bit. Bob's probably hoping I struggle with southpaws rather than the true fact that I struggled with Collazo because he's a 147 fighter."

The war of words between Roach and Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr has been the most entertaining sub-plot to a bout that has captivated the boxing world.

But while much of the hyperbole from the men in the corners washes over Hatton, he says some of it gives him extra confidence.

"I don't pay much attention to it and I'm not really bothered by it. Little things I do pay attention to. Floyd is a talker, Freddie not so much. Seems like Freddie has done more talking in this fight that any other. Maybe when you start acting a little bit out of character. Maybe he's not quite as confident as he says.

"He says Manny will win in three rounds. Maybe he's taken the bait from Floyd - I can't answer that. I don't doubt that Floyd respects Freddie - all it is is just Floyd being Floyd. I don't know if Freddie's taken it to heart. Freddie seems to have reacted to it. I let Floyd do the talking - I just know what I'm capable of doing. I'm a student of boxing, I know styles, I know games. I just feel really really confident about this fight.

"A lot of people will see what Floyd is saying as trash talk. He told me that he wouldn't publicly stick his neck on the line unless he firmly believed I could back it up. It's not my game, it's not Manny's game. Ultimately I believe the best man will win the fight. And I believe I'm the best man."

Source: skysports.com