The following is from the Sports Ticker:

Duran spirit can help Hatton beat Mayweather, says trainer

July 29, 2007
By Mark Staniforth PA SportsTicker Boxing Writer

MANCHESTER, England (Ticker) - Ricky Hatton will evoke the spirit of Roberto Duran in his quest to become the first man to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr. and establish himself as the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

That is the view of Hatton's trainer, Billy Graham, who said news of a verbal agreement between representatives of Hatton and Mayweather for a December superfight in Las Vegas is "a dream come true".

Contracts are expected to be signed in the coming days for a fight which is set to earn Hatton around $16 million, and Mayweather much more.

It is expected to take place on December 8 in Las Vegas.

Referring to Duran's famous win over Sugar Ray Leonard in their first fight in Montreal in 1980 - Duran lured his opponent into a brawl and claimed a points win - Graham told PA SportsTicker: "This is Ricky's Sugar Ray Leonard fight. It's the first Duran-Leonard fight all over again. Look at how Duran won that fight and you will see how Ricky will beat Floyd. I have been studying Floyd for years with a view to this fight.

"Floyd is a fantastic fighter whom I respect a lot for what he has achieved. I never doubted this fight would be made because they are both true warriors who want to fight the best. But I know Ricky will win."

Hatton's father, Ray, confirmed this weekend that he had reached a "verbal agreement" with Mayweather's camp shortly after returning from a trip to Las Vegas to watch Bernard Hopkins' victory over Winky Wright.

Mayweather announced his retirement after his win over Oscar De La Hoya in May, but appears to have been riled back into the ring following disparaging comments by Hatton.

Hatton's representatives will sign a one-fight deal with De La Hoya's 'Golden Boy' organization to promote the fight.

Dennis Hobson will not be involved, although he will continue to be Hatton's British promoter.

Graham added: "I already think Ricky is the best pound for pound fighter ever to come out of Britain, but a lot of people don't agree with me. This fight is going to leave no room for doubt."

Ricky no doubt has the heart, toughness, power and work ethic of Duran (and oddly enough, the tendancy to overindulge in food and drink between fights that Duran had), but he doesn't have near the defense and boxing knowledge that Duran had IMO. I think Duran too often gets lumped as just a tough brawler, and doesn't get enough credit for how brilliant a fighter he actually was. He fought an incredible fight against Ray Leonard in the first fight, and I don't think Ricky can duplicate that kind of performance. Also Floyd has a lot more tools defensively that Ray Leonard did.

Thats not a comment on the fight, just how I don't really think the comparison is accurate. Ricky is a tough opponent for any 140-147lber who ever lived, including Floyd, but I see him eating a lot of punches and losing a decision, or possibly a TKO.

Ray Leonard is a better fighter than Mayweather will ever be if only because he has been tempered by fire and Mayweather has never forced himself to fight the best opposition. This is Mayweather's first time dancing in the fire and I think he's gonna get burned. Oh and Hatton's hands are faster than Durans IMO though his defense is not as good.

Ray Leonard is a better fighter than Mayweather will ever be if only because he has been tempered by fire and Mayweather has never forced himself to fight the best opposition. This is Mayweather's first time dancing in the fire and I think he's gonna get burned. Oh and Hatton's hands are faster than Durans IMO though his defense is not as good.


Floyd's first time dancing in the fire?? Floyd fought the best guys from lightweight to welterweight. He fought solid guys while they were at their best. Two fights with the real Jose Luis Castillo (not the used up shell that fought Hatton). He destroyed Deigo Corrales when Deigo was tearing through the LW division at 33-0 with 27 knockouts. He knocked out N'dou when he was 31-1 with 30 knockouts. Zab Judah. Sharmba Mitchell. Manfredy. Chop Chop Corley. Oscar De La Hoya who had a lot of weight/strength on Floyd. You talk like FLoyd has had an easy trip to the top just because he doesn't have names like Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns on his resume, but he hasn't. If he whoops Hatton's ass, all the FLoyd detractors will say "well Ricky didn't carry his weight well at 147... lets see Floyd beat Cotto"... and so on and so on...