Hatton: stars in 24/7

The 24/7 show is really going to make this fight and it's going to make Hatton. It's hard enough getting HBO - who are massive - to screen one of your fights, never mind make a programme about the build-up to it.

Glenn McCrory
Quotes of the week

HOW TO BOOK THE FIGHT
Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather
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I have been scratching my head wondering where to start this week but let's face it, there's only one place... Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather.

It was the British Board of Control's annual awards last night and even with that going on, Ricky was still the talk, winning Fighter of the Year for a third time.

Never have I known a fight that has loomed as large as this one. Ever. Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to, all they want to discuss is Hatton-Mayweather. I have been looking at websites, reading the Boxing News and no matter what else is going on, it always comes back to the MGM Grand on December 8th.

It's only going to get bigger as well with the 24/7 series. You can see it all on Sky Sportsand I will be glued to it, but one thing I do know is that there is only going to be one man America wants to win after that - and he is not from Grand Rapids!

The show is really going to make this fight and it's going to make Hatton. It's hard enough getting HBO - who are massive - to screen one of your fights, never mind make a programme about the build-up to it.

You know Ricky is going to come across well, simply because that's the way he is. He's the nice kid with the nice family, and is not a show off or a braggart, even if he has plenty of reason to be.

Mayweather, if you ask me, has had a personality bypass. I have been around him a fair few times and although I can confirm there is a nice side somewhere in there, when he is in front of a crowd - or a camera - he is just not pleasant.

Peaked

His team are doing him no favours either. They keep comparing Ricky to Arturo Gatti, which is just nonsense. Ricky is a much, much better defensive fighter for a start. If Team Mayweather think they are for a repeat of that fight, then they are seriously under-estimating our lad.

Who, by the way, looks great. I am sure some people think he might have peaked too early but he looks brilliant. The weight is no problem and although I am slightly concerned that he is flying out to Vegas a full two weeks before (I would have preferred to have seen him do it maybe a week or 10 days before), he looks ready to raise his game.

The big thing about Ricky is he has never tasted defeat before and when you're in that position, it means you have no parameters.

You don't know your level and you are always willing to dig that little deeper, go that bit further than the next man. That is what makes this so fascinating because both fighters are undefeated for a very long time and that '0' will mean everything to both.

It does put more pressure on Ricky, because that first defeat is the worst experience for any boxer.

But let's be honest, it's a win-win situation for him. There is no disgrace in losing to the pound-for-pound best, and even if he does - God forbid - we know he will be carried out on his shield, because he is a warrior. He will leave nothing in the tank.

But will Floyd do the same? Can Floyd do the same? I am not sure. With all the brashness, all the talk of Gatti Mark II, as the fight gets closer, I am starting to wonder.

I have been making calls to my friends out in the States to get the latest on his training, sparring partners and preparation, but have heard nothing so far. If and when I do, I will let you know, but I wonder if the Americans are all shutting up shop for a reason.

Enthusiastic

Finally I just have to say a big well done to my good mate Enzo Calzaghe who was named the Board's Trainer of the Year - and rightly so.

He has world champions in his son Joe, Enzo Maccarinelli and Gavin Rees and it really couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Having mostly trained myself throughout my career, I am fascinated by the trainer's role and I think Enzo's biggest quality is that he gets his fighters to trust him.

It sounds simple enough, but if he tells them to walk through brick walls, they will. And that is because he is passionate and enthusiastic about them, and the sport and just a lovely, lovely man.

I have been on holiday with Enzo and his family and can confirm he is a much better trainer than driver, but cannot speak highly enough of him.

I know there is a lot of politics between promoters and TV stations in boxing, but believe me, it doesn't go down to the fighters. I know Enzo and his boys will be rooting for Ricky Hatton come December 8th. They won't be alone - here or in America.