Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather Part II? Forget it Ricky!

The Manchester Mexican has still to reach 30 years of age and has achieved an astonishing amount of success since knocking Colin McAuley to the canvas in his debut fight in Widnes in 1997.

Ricky Hatton is a two-time IBF and IBO light-welterweight champion, a WBA welterweight champion, a former WBU, WBA light-welterweight champion and WBC, WBA and WBO Inter-Continental light-welterweight Champion.

Impressive reading for a man born and raised in Stockport and whom his father turned into a salesman at the family carpet business after he cut four fingers with a Stanley knife in the shop. Wise father!

Fans and press alike started to take more notice of Hatton after his points victory over John Thaxton in 2000. There were whispers of a genuine world-class boxer emerging to challenge the dominance of the Americans in the welterweight divisions.

It was not until June, 2005, when Hatton (predicted to fail by the experts) produced an awesome display to stop the Australian Kosta Tszyu, who did not respond to the bell for the 12th round. It was regarded as one of the best British performances in boxing in 20 years, prompting Ring Magazine to name him Fighter of the Year 2005.

Hatton broke his ties with Frank Warren to pursue a three-fight contract in America in his quest to become the best. He moved up to welterweight to defeat Luis Collazo in May, 2006. It was a brutal fight in which Hatton knocked Collazo down in the first round only to struggle with Collazo’s southpaw style.

Hatton won but realized the jump up was tricky. His ambition to face Floyd Mayweather would result in a welterweight contest. He dropped back down a weight to beat Juan Urango by a unanimous decision to win the IBF title. Hatton then had to relinquish this title for a crack at Luis Castillo. The "Perfect left hook” was administered to crack four of Castillo’s ribs and Hatton retained the IBO title.

Now there was nothing in Hatton’s path to stop him taking on Mayweather - apart from stepping up a weight again. The biggest fight of the 21st Century in the welterweight division was on. The publicity surrounding the fight was incredible and many pundits and former professionals believed Hatton could do it.

Alas it proved to be a weight, a class and a reach too far for Hatton, who was outclassed by Mayweather. The American admitted that Hatton was the toughest opponent he had ever faced. This is where the problems have started. With Mayweather due to face Oscar De La Hoya, Hatton is aiming for a re-match in the spring of 2009 at Wembley Stadium.

The Hit Man is a great fighter and I believe that if Mayweather had not said what he did, then perhaps Hatton would have given up. The man does not need to work again but I understand that if he truly believes he can beat Mayweather then he will not stop until he does.

It’s a common occurrence in boxing and in the male psyche in general. He is young enough. Mayweather proved beyond all doubt that he is pound-for-pound the best boxer and it’s perhaps Hatton’s determination to gain this reputation that may prove to be his ultimate downfall.