Hatton V Mayweather : Ricky Hatton throws down the gauntlet

Ricky Hatton believes he can lure Floyd Mayweather Jr out of his 'supposed' retirement if he beats Jose Luis Castillo on Saturday, insisting the American still needs a career-defining fight.
The Hitman is preparing for the biggest fight of his career in Las Vegas, knowing victory would catapult him to super-fight status alongside the likes of Mayweather and Oscar de la Hoya.

Hatton predicts the clash with Castillo will be one of the battles of the decade, and he has challenged the undefeated Mayweather to create his own legacy before ending his 38-fight career.

"I don't think Mayweather will retire because he wants to be remembered as an all-time great but to do that he has still got to do something a little bit more," said Hatton about the possibility of a future bout.

"As far as talent and boxing ability goes he is second to none but in terms of excitement I haven't seen Mayweather in one good fight yet. He has got very negative as he has got older.

"In 10-to-15 years' time when you're a fight historian and you look on that shelf where all the great fights are, are you going to reach for a Floyd Mayweather video?

"I think Floyd is a far better fighter than Arturo Gatti but I think people will be watching Arturo Gatti's fights for long after they'll be watching Mayweather's. He just never gets me on the edge of my seat."

Meanwhile, Hatton's sparring partner Steve Forbes believes the Hitman is ready to become box-office in America, insisting the US public will demand more of the Manchester fighter if he overcomes Castillo.

He said: "Ricky has the drawing power to fight one of the big guys. I think it is all based on his next performance and if he looks really good people could demand something like that.

"Castillo is known as a warrior, win, lose or draw. I think it will be an excellent fight but with a win over Castillo, Ricky will really come to be respected over here in the United States."

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