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Pacquiao just nailed me, Mayweather was harder to fight – Hatton

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
‘Hitman’ sees Mayweather win in November

Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton is convinced that a potential November super-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao would be the American’s defining night and see him crown the pound for pound world’s best.

The 33 year-old, who fought both fighters in failed attempts before retiring last year, sees a relatively easy win for Mayweather, who would then become unified welterweight champion holding the WBC and WBO versions of the title.

 “Manny might not be happy to hear this but I think Floyd will win it comfortably because he’s so hard to hit,” Hatton said in an interview with The Daily Star Sunday.

“It wasn’t hard to knock me out the night I fought Manny but I remember, the morning after I fought Mayweather, thinking how hard he was to fight.

“But I couldn’t say that about Manny because he just nailed me and I was flat out in the second.

“I had problems trying to hit Floyd and even the punches that did get to him he would just glance off, block with his shoulder or slip.

“When someone has been a bit more cautious and defensive against Manny he has struggled, as opposed to someone who goes flying in like I did.

“It’ll be one of the biggest fights in history so it’s likely to happen in November when they can market it for longer,” added Hatton.

The unification had originally been touted for May 5th but circumstances have led to the end of 2012 being a more likely date for the contest, which is likely to take place in a purpose-built arena in Las Vegas.

Mayweather has limited his options for the date, whilst Pacquiao has been linked to a rematch with Miguel Cotto on June 9th at a similar venue to the one that is set to be erected for what will be the richest fight in the history of the sport.

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