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Last Updated: Tuesday, 26 June 2007, 18:13 GMT 19:13 UK
Mayweather wants to face Hatton
Floyd Mayweather
Mayweather is now undefeated in 38 professional fights
Floyd Mayweather says he is prepared to come out of his short-lived retirement to fight Manchester's Ricky Hatton.

Hatton is keen to take on five-weight champion Mayweather after demolishing Jose Luis Castillo on Saturday.

"I was retired, but I'll sign to fight Hatton right now," said the American.

"Ricky Hatton cannot fight. He cannot box. He throws one punch at a time and then holds. There is no skill to what he does in the ring."

Hatton claimed a stunning fourth-round stoppage over Castillo in Las Vegas on Sunday and the 28-year-old said after his victory that his main goal was to fight Mayweather, 30.

Ricky will fight him anywhere

Hatton's father Ray
"We're up for the fight, you've got to be up for a fight like that," Hatton's father Ray told BBC Five Live.

"But it doesn't always end with the two fighters, there tends to be a few people getting in between.

"Ricky is chomping at the bit. He said it's a no-brainer. It's a definite yes.

"Ricky will fight him anywhere - that's the difference between him and Floyd, who wants it on home turf."

Both fighters are unbeaten, although Mayweather had previously insisted last month's victory over Oscar de la Hoya would be his final bout.

But he looks set to be tempted back to take on the Briton, whose performance against Castillo apparently failed to impress him.

Ricky Hatton is the most over-rated fighter of the last 25 years

Floyd Mayweather
"I've tried to let the things he said about me slide by but now he's 'dissing' me on national TV and I want to shut him up," said Mayweather.

"I've never wanted to hurt an opponent like I do Hatton. For me, boxing is a science but it will be a pleasure to prove to the world what a great phoney the guy is.

"Ricky Hatton is the most over-rated fighter of the last 25 years. He beat an old Kostya Tszyu and he beat an old Castillo who was shot.

"I beat Castillo twice and the first time I did it with one hand because the other was so messed up. That was five years ago when Castillo was in his prime."

Meanwhile, IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi insists he is willing to fulfil Hatton's dream of topping a bill at Madison Square Garden.

606: DEBATE

"There's no doubt in my mind that I can beat Hatton," he said. "He's just so flawed. He's so one-dimensional. Against a good fighter like Paulie Malignaggi, Hatton will be exposed.

"I don't want to come off as disrespectful because I respect the things Hatton has accomplished. I respect his fan appeal, and he seems like a nice guy.

"Me and Hatton could be in Madison Square Garden, or Atlantic City, we can do it anywhere. But not Manchester. He'll body slam me, or bring in chairs if he wants, like in wrestling, and I wouldn't stand for that."



SEE ALSO
Mayweather savages 'fat' Hatton
05 Feb 07 |  Boxing
Hatton still chasing Mayweather
12 Nov 06 |  Boxing
Hatton-Castillo as it happened
24 Jun 07 |  Boxing
War not the way for Hatton
21 Jun 07 |  Boxing
Hatton v Castillo photos
18 Jun 07 |  Boxing


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