Ricky Hatton’s trainer: ‘We’re going to whip .’

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Ricky Hatton said on a conference call today that he bears no resentment toward his May 2 opponent Manny Pacquiao for dragging out negotiations before their fight was signed.

‘This is boxing,’ Hatton said. ‘I’ve never looked at an offer for the first time and said, ‘No problem,’ it’s just a case of negotiation. I respect that. You’ve got to give and take a bit.’

Pacquiao, considered the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter after winning two world title belts and moving up again to beat Oscar De La Hoya convincingly in a December welterweight fight, ultimately agreed to a 52-48 split of the purse.

‘I bring a lot of fans and money to this fight,’ Hatton said. ‘Manny brings the best title.’

Yet, Hatton also said that even though the May 2 bout is a junior-welterweight (140 pounds) bout, he expects to weigh 154 pounds on fight night, far beyond De La Hoya’s 147-pound size in December.

‘I’ll be the biggest man Manny has ever faced,’ Hatton said.

With improved focus on punching and foot speed under new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., Hatton said, his technical skills are peaking for this fight. ‘My size, speed and footwork will shock him,’ Hatton claimed.

His colorful trainer agreed, predicting, ‘We’re going to whip his [rear], simple as that. We’re going to beat his [rear].’

-- Lance Pugmire