Hatton To Fight Mayweather

By Michael Austria: Pound for pound boxing king, Floyd Mayweather Jr. (38-4, 24 KOs) has reportedly signed a contract to fight British lightweight star Ricky Hatton (43-0, 31 KOs), according to eastsideboxing.com boxing news website. Apparently, the Hatton’s father has confirmed that the contracts have been signed and all they’re waiting on now is the site for the fight to be held at. As of now, the MGM Grand is the leading candidate for the location, and the date is slated for December 8, 2007.

Mayweather, 30, retired after his 12-round decision victory over Oscar De La Hoya in May 2007, saying at the time that there was no reason to continue boxing due to the lack of viable opponents. However, Mayweather suddenly changed his tune after seeing Hatton dismantle Jose Luis Castillo in June 2007, stopping him in the fourth round. Perhaps would motivated Mayweather even more, in part, was the fact that he had struggled twice in beating Castillo, whereas Hatton made it look effortless in beating Castillo.

Hatton, however, will be at a distinct disadvantage against Mayweather, namely because the British fighter will have to move up in weight seven pounds, from 140 to 147, to fight Mayweather at the welterweight class. Hatton has already proven to be a less than capable fighter in the welterweight division, having had great difficulty in beating Luis Collazo in May 2006, and Juan Urango in January 2007.