Hitman ready to jinx Magic

Hatton: enjoying changes

If he's thinking that then that's good news because he's leading himself right up the garden path.

Ricky Hatton
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Ricky Hatton insists Paulie Malignaggi is playing right into his hands ahead of their light-welterweight bout.

Watch Hatton-Malignaggi on Sky Box Office.

Hatton squares off against Malignaggi in Las Vegas on November 22 and the Hitman cannot wait.

But his American opponent has been unimpressed by Hatton appointing Floyd Mayweather Snr as his trainer, stating publicly it's too late for the 30-year-old to learn new tricks.

The IBO champion, however, believes Malignaggi's comments will only come to his aid against the brash 'Magic Man'.

"If he's thinking that then that's good news because he's leading himself right up the garden path," Hatton told Sky Sports News.

"In all honesty what is Paul Malignaggi going to say?

"Don't get me wrong he's a good fighter, he's very, very quick, but I will out-box him in this fight."

Value

Despite the current economic crisis, Hatton is expecting a huge army of fans to follow him to Las Vegas and is promising they will get value for money.

"What with the credit card crunch and with Christmas coming up and New Year it is a difficult shout, but if anyone can do it - Ricky Hatton will do it," Hatton said.

"And the fans always have a good time when they come over to Las Vegas and November 22 will be no different and we are going to take another scalp over a world champion."

Hatton believes we will see a more polished performance thanks to the Mayweather influence, but without losing any of his explosive attack.

Excited

"I've enjoyed my boxing more so lately because of the new changes that have come in," Hatton said.

"There's a spring in my step, it's good fun and I'm very excited about the future.

"It's different combinations to set traps, set my opponent up and to slow me down and put the brakes on a little bit.

"People have said for years I'm a better fighter when I slow my pace down, use the jab and show the boxing ability I've got."

"Baring that in mind, it's working well."

Hatton concedes he has his critics ahead of the big fight, but the Hitman believes the hard work with his new trainer will go a long way to silencing the doubters.

He said: "I think the daggers are out for me a little bit and the only way I will convince them otherwise is if I put on a fantastic performance on November 22.

"If the first five weeks of training camp are anything to go by, then that's a near certainty."