Graham welcomes ref choice

Hatton-Mayweather exclusively live on Sky Box Office & HD, Ch755/756

Last updated: 4th December 2007

Ricky Hatton training

Hatton - Ready for action

As soon as Floyd drops his hands to complain, Ricky's going to hit him. That's the only thing that Mayweather should be worrying about beforehand.

Ricky Hatton's trainer Billy Graham
Quotes of the week

HOW TO BOOK THE FIGHT
Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather
Exclusively live on Sky Box Office
£14.95 (UK) and €21.95 (ROI)
Call 08705 800 888 or
Click here for full details

Related links

News

Feature

Article/Blog

Also see

Ricky Hatton's trainer Billy Graham has welcomed the appointment of Joe Cortez as referee for the Manchester fighter's WBC welterweight showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

Graham feared that the referee could influence the outcome by attempting to rein in Hatton's trademark rugged style.

But those worries have been eased with the appointment of Puerto Rican veteran Joe Cortez, who mutters the catchphrase 'firm but fair' before every first bell, for the December 8 bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Fair shake

"All we want is a fair shake and hopefully we're going to get one," said Graham.

"We've got the two best fighters in the world in the ring so the referee should let them get on with it.

"I'm a realist. I always worry about facial injuries and cuts, but we've got a great cuts man in Mick Williamson and I hope we've got a referee who is not going to be squeamish."

Graham warned Mayweather that Hatton will use his usual no-holds-barred style in an effort to unsettle the 'Pretty Boy'.

Complain

He added: "I know Floyd's going to complain to the referee but he should remember that the rule is that you have got to protect yourself at all times.

"As soon as Floyd drops his hands to complain, Ricky's going to hit him. That's the only thing that Mayweather should be worrying about beforehand."

Hatton is taking encouragement from the fact that Mayweather's closest brush with defeat was in his first fight with Jose Castillo, back in April 2002.

At that time Castillo was in his fierce-punching prime and had a similar come-forward style to Hatton.

Hatton said: "In his first fight with Mayweather, was Castillo's footwork as good as Ricky Hatton's is?

"Was his body-punching as good as Ricky Hatton's? Does he move in on his opponent as quickly as Ricky Hatton does? Is he as big a hitter? Does he have as much boxing ability?

"I would have to say no to all of them. I think even in his prime, I am better in every department. And when you think that Castillo nearly beat Floyd, that's the way I see this fight going."