By Sanjeev Shetty BBC Sport in Manchester

Hatton: "I have youth on my side"

Ricky Hatton may be one of the bigger names in British boxing, but the 24-year-old Mancunian insists that his ambition does not end there.

Hatton, who holds the lightly-regarded WBU light welterweight title, puts his unbeaten record on the line against American Vince Phillips on Saturday at the MEN Arena in Manchester.

In some ways, it is a dream fight for Hatton, against a man he watched and studied for years while climbing the professional ranks.

But a win over the highly-rated Phillips, a former world champion, will be just a step towards attaining the things he wants from his career.

"With opponents like Phillips, each time I fight my purse is getting nearer and nearer (to what I want)," Hatton told BBC Sport.

"That makes a better life for me and my son Campbell which means a great deal to me - I want him to have the best that life can offer.

I should take it as a compliment as to how high the standards are that people set for me now, but it is annoying Ricky Hatton

"Even if I didn't win another fight from here I'd still be a boxing success story

"But if I thought that this was the most Ricky Hatton would get, I'd be very disappointed with the ability I've been given.

"The best is yet to come and I know I've got more to achieve."

This means that the modest Hatton, who still lives with his mum and dad, is prepared to deal with the things that come with being a superstar-in-the-making, notably criticism.

"I've beaten all but one of my domestic rivals, Stephen Smith, Jason Rowland, Jon Thaxton and Eamonn Magee.

Will Witter be next for Hatton?

"Last time out I fought Joe Hutchinson and I got an absolute slating for the quality of the opposition.

"This was a fella who had gone 10 rounds with Hector Camacho Jr and Arturo Gatti. And everyone is moaning.

"I should take it as a compliment as to how high the standards are that people set for me now, but it is annoying."

Phillips' questionable preparation - the 39-year-old American arrived late this week and may struggle to make the light welterweight limit - may take the edge off a Hatton win.

But the hometown hero insists that he has done everything he can in his own training.

I've got to make him miss and counter and use my speed my footwork Ricky Hatton

"I've seen more of Vince Phillips than most other opponents.

"He has a stoppage win over current world champion Kostya Tszyu and Micky Ward.

"On fight night,� I've got to prove more elusive. �I know I can't stand in front of him because he's a big hitter and he has a very dangerous right hand.

"In taking the fight to him, which I'm going to do, I've got to be very calculated and sensible in the way I do it.

"I've got to make him miss and counter and use my speed my footwork, my youth I suppose."