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Hatton promises new fight approach
Other Sports, 12:31, November 19, 2008 ,
Ricky Hatton says he's become a smarter fighter under new trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr ahead of his clash with Paulie Malignaggi.
But the American challenger says he is "faster and smarter" than the Briton and that a stoppage could be on the cards when they meet in Las Vegas's MGM Grand Arena on Saturday.
Hatton was knocked out by Mayweather Jr at the same venue last December, but is confident his replacement of Billy Graham by his nemesis' father will pay off against Malignaggi this time round.
"I'm very excited about what type of performance I'm going to put in," said Hatton, who has 44 wins and 31 knockouts from 45 fights.
"I went into training camp thinking 'am I past it, have the hard fights finally caught up with me?' But I haven't felt this good in two or three years - it could be the best Ricky Hatton there's ever been.
"It will be the same aggressive Ricky Hatton but with a lot more polish, a lot more use of the jab and a lot more awareness of punches coming back at me," said Hatton.
"Malignaggi will be expecting me to come out like I have in the my last few fights, all guns blazing and with no real thought.
"But Floyd has slowed me down, got me moving my head, showing angles and generally doing stuff I haven't done in recent training camps.
Malignaggi said: "I feel like nothing can break me and don't be surprised if I stop him.
"But I won't be looking for a knockout, I'm a boxer first, a crafty guy."