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De la Hoya eyes future Hatton clash

24/09/2007

Floyd Mayweather's last opponent Oscar de la Hoya has backed Ricky Hatton to go one better than he managed and unseat the welterweight king.

De la Hoya lost a split decision to 30-year-old Mayweather in May but reckons that Hatton may have the attributes to disrupt the American's cagey style.

"Put me against a wall and ask me who I think will win, I'll pick Ricky Hatton," the ten-time world champion said.

"I can see Floyd being over-confident. Ricky is younger and hungrier and he wants to prove to the whole world that he is a real fighter and can beat the best. I don't see it as difficult at all for Ricky to win."

De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions company is the main organiser of the December 8th match-up and the 34-year-old hinted that a Hatton victory could tempt him out of retirement for another money-spinning bout in 2008.

"I'm crossing my fingers that Ricky wins, a fight between us would be a great possibility for Wembley next year," he said.

However Mayweather brushed aside his promoter's predictions in his customary brash style.

"Oscar can shove his opinion up his ass. I could whoop Hatton and De La Hoya on the same night. I've whooped Oscar's ass once and if he keeps on like that, I'll have to do it again," he said.