Hitman tipping Cotto victory

Ricky Hatton has backed Miguel Cotto to spring a surprise and defeat Manny Pacquiao when the two clash for the Puerto Rican's WBO Welterweight belt in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Despite Cotto being the champion, Pacquiao is a strong favourite to defeat his rival and claim a major title in a sixth different weight division.

However, Hatton - despite suffering a stunning knock-out at the hands of Pacquiao in Las Vegas just six months ago - believes Cotto is capable of overcoming the Filipino pound-for-pound king.

When questioned who he fancied to win the bout, Hatton told Sky Sports: "I have a sneaky feeling that Miguel Cotto might do it.

"Needless to say I was knocked down twice in the first round, (against Pacquiao) I couldn't have had a worse start, but in the second round, until he caught me with that last punch, I was winning it by a country mile and I think even Manny himself commented that I hurt him a couple of times.

"And if I hurt him a couple of times after that appalling start then I'm sure Miguel Cotto will probably hurt him.

"I hope Manny wins, as a gentleman I've got so much respect for him, and after sharing the ring with him.

"I wouldn't say it with any degree of confidence, but I've just got a sneaky feeling Cotto might do it."

Comeback hint

Meanwhile, Hatton again hinted that he could be tempted to make a return to the ring himself, admitting that his work as a promoter had served to get his competitive juices flowing once again.

Hatton added: "When you see them all winning and doing well, like Matthew Macklin won the European title the other week, I'm getting such a buzz seeing them do well, my feet are starting to tap a little bit more now!

"I think I'm going to have Christmas and then New Year and then I'm going to have real serious, serious think about things.

"But working with the promoting and seeing all my boys doing so well, it's starting to get me thinking again."