The Hitman and him

Sky Sports gets the first glimpse of Mayweather's methods

Last updated: 14th October 2008

hatton and mayweather

Hatton and Mayweather work things out

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.

Ricky Hatton
Quotes of the week

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Floyd Mayweather Snr says we will see a new Ricky Hatton on November 22 - and if Sky Sports' exclusive insight into their training is anything to go by, he is right.

The Friday Fight Night cameras dropped in on the Hitman's training camp as he began work with the man who replaced Billy Graham for his Sky Box Office showdown with Paulie Malignaggi.

And as our exclusive video shows, gone is the infamous bodybag and the gruelling fitness workouts, with pace and technique the key elements in Mayweather Snr's makeover.

Reports - and our footage - suggest Hatton has found it hard fine-tuning his all-action technique, but with his trainer clearly urging him to think more about his attacking strategy, the fighter himself says the new approach has been a breath of fresh air.

"I've enjoyed my boxing more so lately because of the new changes that have come in," he told Sky Sports.

"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."

Mayweather wants Hatton to fight in bursts, perhaps realising that having just turned 30 and after 44 fights, he can no longer constantly pressure his man for 12 rounds.

Daggers

The pair have been working on head movement on the way in, using the right hand before teeing off with his trademark left to the body and slipping punches - something Hatton has hardly been renowned for.

And although it might lead to some early teething problems, the longest training camp in his career will give the Mancunian plenty of time to get to grips with the Mayweather mantra.

"It needs to be a good performance," said Hatton. "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."

For your first glimpse of Hatton and Mayweather Snr training together, click on the video link on the right-hand side...

Comments

Michael Ahern says...

There is only going to be one winner and that is Hatton. Yes Malinaggi has skills and speed but he is not the fighter Ricky is. Malinaggi is bit overrated and I dont think he takes a punch well, if ricky hits him with his body shots I think that will slow down Malinaggi and take away the best weapon he has - speed.

Posted 13:51 16th October 2008

John Burke says...

I've seen Ricky training at the gym i use,he looks in great shape!!! He seems up for this one..

Posted 10:08 16th October 2008

Gregory Cotier says...

Ricky will need to change something to beat this fella, There is no doubt that Hatton is explosive and can beat most fighters with his left doing the damage, but this is not a secret anymore. He is, I am afraid, slightly predictable, and for a fighter who can switch hit and stance like Malignaggi, this creates an opening through which he can hook and follow up into Hatton. I don't think he can knock Hatton down but he could wear him down with his extra mobility, and possibly Ricky's lack of hard fitness training that Graham previously endowed him with could count if he gets hit enough. Any boxer knows that there is nothing that exposes a lack of fitness more than getting hit constantly. Of course, if Malignaggi is silly enough to get into a brawl with Hatton, then Hatton will win, as he would in a brawl against any fighter, including Mayweather. Coupled with the fact that the fight is in America I believe Malignaggi will either wear him down or win on points. This is in spite of the fact that I love Hatton and he has given us the best boxing entertainment of the last 15 years.

Posted 23:45 15th October 2008

Mark Aldridge says...

Im a believer of "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"! I think what Floyd snr is teaching is so alien to Ricky that on the night it may confuse Ricky into what style to fight. I would be surprised to see a unanimous decision to Ricky's opponent Paulie Mallingnagi.

Posted 16:58 15th October 2008

Ryan Fardon says...

I respect Paulie's speed and overall skill but for me there is only going to be one winner come the end of the fight and that will be our Ricky Hatton. He's at the right weight and to me he looks very strong, he won't win every round but he wont burn out like he has in recent fights and i think he'll have what it takes to complete the 12 rounds with ease. Hitman KO Victory Round 9 bout a convincing points victory will more than do!

Posted 20:01 14th October 2008

Steve Dalton says...

i do feel Mayweather could help hatton, who i believe will win his November clash. However i dont think its his boxing that will be his downfall in times to come, i believe Ricky Hatton has started to belive his own hype now....having his own chat shows, doing numerous events. If that is the road he wants to go down, then i think he should quit boxing. Dont get me wrong i am a massive Hatton fan, i just dont want to see him sell out because as we all know "theres only one Ricky Haton"

Posted 14:11 14th October 2008

Marc Mason says...

You can see where Mayweather Junior gets his slick skills from after watching the way his dad trains.

Posted 13:18 14th October 2008

Kev Broughton says...

THATS BETTER! I must admit i was a little concerned when i saw hatton in the latest press conference, he did not look the witty confident fighter we know, his head was down alot, no jokes, and talking very low in volume. However having seen that feature today, it makes me feel much better going to vegas, hatton looks like he has settled with mayweather SNR and looks like he has his confidence back. I must admit im a little excited to see the new skills of hatton against malanaggi, doubters who thing hatton will lose the fight are basing there decisions on malanaggis speed, ring craft and the fact that hatton walks in straight lines. Even with graham in the corner, walking into punches and in straight lines, i still think hatton would have won the fight, when i look at paulie i see a mayweather esk fighter but not as good, (very quick always on the move, fast combos in and out) and we all know what happened there in first few rounds, untill frustration with referee kicked in, however with these new defence skills, if hatton implements them, i can see a totally different fight for at least 5 rounds, maybe not beating paulie for speed and ring craft but hopefully taking the edge away by matching him, then the real hatton comes through and destroys him with body punches Hopefull comments? 2 much faith? As i have said in previous posts my money is going on 11th round KO hatton. Anyone disagree with me?

Posted 11:31 14th October 2008

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