Diary from Las Vegas: Ricky's a stand-up guy

Great stuff at the head-to-head press conference today. These big pre-fight pressers have long been part of boxing's tradition but they have slipped badly in recent years; they have become a forum for 20-odd people to all stand up and say thankyou to their promoters, managers, families and (invariably) God, and have thus become unbearably tedious. The absurd Don King can occasionally bring some colour to occasions but even he drones on, ever delighted with the sound of his own decibels.

But this was different. Yes, we again had 20-odd people all standing up and rolling out the thankyous. But we then received a superb piece of stand-up from Ricky Hatton followed by the head-to-head photo-shot at the end of which there was a glimmer of a scuffle. Well, OK, call it a tiny piece of pushing. With Mike Tyson you would take that for granted. Outside of Tyson-land, you would not.

But it was 1-0 to Hatton for the stand-up alone. He described himself as "this fat little beer-drinking Englishman", repeated all of the insults the Mayweathers have thrown at him and then asked: "So Floyd, how come the odds are so close?" As Floyd looked on, no quick reposte ready, Hatton said: "Personally I think you've nowt to worry about, Floyd. You'll be alright."

It was then Mayweather's turn at the microphone and he had not one single quip to reply with. Then came the long, posed head-to-head from which Mayweather seemed to be slightly rattled. Hatton finally stepped away, turned to his father and said: "I've got that f***er!"

OWEN SLOT

Comments

[Keshav]

Will it live up to the hype? Not all big fights do. It could be a repeat of Hagler/Leonard all those years ago-the fighter vs boxer. It could so easily not be a classic, with Hatton chasing Mayw all over the ring for 12 uneventful rounds.
HOPING ITSA GREAT FIGHT,ALTHOUGH I FEAR THE FIGHT GETTING STOPPED DUE TO CUTS ON HATTON-BRILLIANT IF HE DOES IT FOR US-IT WILL SHOCK THE AMERICANS.

[xxxCORRECTxxx]

It's maybe not Mayweather's fault he didn't have a comeback. Many Americans (& Floyd's no professor) genuinely have trouble understanding a single word in most English accents. Most people live in the US only ever hear American English spoken (and there's nowt wrong with that.) Only educated southern RP/BBC-esque needs little/no translation. Ricky Hatton must sound like he's from Mars to Mayweather, not speaking the same language. He probably didn't know what he was talking about.
Hopefully Ricky can let his fists do the talking from now on and drop him with a cracked rib.

[patco]

the bad news:-
hatton cuts too easily and can see
mayweather winning by a stoppage early in the fight.

the good news:-
a rematch in merry old england at wembley stadium in the summer!

[James]

Good to see Ricky taking the upper hand with the mind games this how battles are won.

[Chris Taylor]

Didn't pretty boy call Hatton a camera gangster the other day for apparently not having the balls to do it face to face? On today's performance, that would make Floyd the camera-shy gangster.

[Ken Hall]

Good luck Hatton, You will need it. I sincerely hope that you will win.

I also hope that you end up sharing the BBC sports Personality of the year with Joe Calzaghe and Hamilton is relegated to third. I also hope that Hamilton does enough to win it next year.

[Peter, London]

Good though he is as a boxer, Mayweather brags too much to be completely convincing. Being lost for words after using so many to abuse Hatton, shows he's not as quick-witted as all that. He'll box at range less out of choice than because he has to.

Hatton is the underdog, but what an underdog, and is the popular hero in all this. Of course he's been winning support from those who've liked him for the honest pugilist he is, and because he has the wit to help him think through the task he faces. The boxer who can stop a bout with a body shot like the rarely seen liver punch is a tough proposition.