Hatton/Floyd clash at MGM weigh-in

LAS VEGAS -- Singing supporters of England's Ricky Hatton built excitement to a fever pitch at the MGM Grand weigh-in for Saturday's welterweight title showdown with Floyd Mayweather -- as the rivals confronted each other for the second time this week.

Mayweather, 38-0 with 24 knockouts, will defend his World Boxing Council crown against Hatton, 43-0 with 31 knockouts, in a showcase event that saw more sparks fly between the pair.

A crowd of 5,930 jammed the hotel/casino, lining up five hours before the weigh-in. So many were filling the casino halls so soon that security opened the doors early and began turning away people nearly two hours before the weigh-in.

"What can I say for a turnout like that? Absolutely fantastic," Hatton said.

Almost all were loud and boisterous Hatton supporters. Hatton weighed in at a fit 145 pounds, two pounds less than when he fought Luis Collazao 19 months ago in his only prior welterweight bout, while Mayweather was at the 147-pound limit.

Two days after a chest-thumping staredown in which both men claimed a psychological edge, Hatton proved the clear winner in a replay before his fans, waving dismissively as a grim-faced Mayweather walked away. "There's a lot to admire, but nothing to say I should step back and be scared of this guy," Hatton said.

When Mayweather had his children bring his title belts on stage, drawing more boos, Hatton played to the crowd, saying, "Are we sick of the belts? Let's have 'em," to the loudest cheers of the electric session.

Mayweather could earn $20 million when final pay-per-view numbers are tabulated, about twice Hatton's expected take even though British supporters have brought much of the excitement here and lots of money for Vegas casinos.

"Instead of going to the UK I can bring the UK to me," Mayweather said.

Hatton has said that he can apply more pressure upon Mayweather than prior foes and said "Pretty Boy" has not handled such fighters well.

"A couple of times he has just crept over the finish line," Hatton said. "He squeezed past Oscar De La Hoya (in May). Oscar is bigger but he's not as quick and explosive and he doesn't have the ferocity that I have."

Mayweather's elusive style and ability to weaken foes before using his speed to full advantage is something Hatton approaches carefully.

"You've got to come at him at different angles because he goes at his side and drops his shoulder and gives you nothing to punch at," Hatton said.

"I know what he's up to. He will try to stay out of the way and when he gets tired he'll try to sit inside and make me miss and get a breather that way. To beat Ricky Hatton, you need to keep that firepower coming. If you don't hurt me I will keep coming all night."

Mayweather claims he will not need much rest to handle, Hatton but swears he is not taking the Manchester boxer lightly.

"Hatton is a good fighter. He is going to bring his 'A' game," Mayweather said. "I never overlook anyone. I try to approach it like every other fight. I just go out and work hard."

Hatton trainer Billy Graham said bleeding, a past problem for his man, might offer Mayweather's best chance for victory.

"I actually think cuts is the only way Floyd can beat him, unless he gets foolish and walks onto a big shot," Graham said. "That truly is the only way I believe Mayweather is going to win this fight."

However, Graham wants caution before the fight is halted if Hatton is cut. "I hope the referee will be as calm as we are," he said.

"Obviously if the cut is bad enough and is going to injure his eye permanently, I would want it stopped. But this is a superfight so they should give him every chance." E-mail to a friend

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