Ricky Hatton is so sure he can beat Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2 that he is already plotting a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. The British boxer believes he will be too big and strong for the Filipino fighter and is adamant Pacquiao is vulnerable. "It's a shame you can't be inside me and see how confident I'm feeling," he said.
"My size and strength will be a key factor." Hatton, 30, suffered the only blemish on his 46-fight career in Dec 2007 when he was stopped in 10 rounds by Mayweather. He is eager for a rematch in the UK and also has his eye on the WBA and WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. "There are plenty of good fights out there for me if I was to beat Pacquiao," he said. "Juan Manuel Marquez wants to become the first Mexican to win titles at five different weights.
"There's him and I'd be a liar if I said I don't think I can get another crack at Floyd Mayweather Jr. "Manny won't be my last fight. Hopefully I'll have a homecoming in the UK - against Marquez or Mayweather." Mayweather was regarded as pound-for-pound king when the rivals met at welterweight and Hatton gets a second shot at being considered the best when he meets Pacquiao. It promises to be a thrilling contest between two aggressive fighters with Pacquiao starting as favourite.
"The reason why I think I'm going to win is that I've seen Manny drop to body shots from smaller men a few times,"said Hatton. "I've seen him shaken up by head punches. Bear in mind I'm the biggest fighter he will have fought against." Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, had no interest in a clash with Mayweather. "I didn't want to fight Mayweather next because he's a boring fight," he said. * PA Sport