It is nearly two years since they faced each other in the ring, but the two men have reopened the feud that once gripped boxing.
This time it looks destined to be played out in the pages of newspapers rather than on the canvas - but the mutual respect that was displayed in the weeks and months after their epic clash has been well and truly scrapped.
Hatton has reacted angrily to comments made by Mayweather in the build up to his comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.
It is the first time the Pretty Boy has fought since his 10th round knock out of Hatton in 2007 - a fight he claims "effectively" ended the Hitman's career.
"Floyd Mayweather said he gave Oscar de la Hoya his biggest pay day and that he gave me my biggest payday," said Hatton. "But we gave him his biggest paydays.
"He may be a wonderful fighter, but he still can't sell tickets."
Mayweather had said of Hatton: "Until he came up against me, he'd reached the highest plateau in boxing - and then he failed."
Clash
Mayweather always knew how to push Hatton's buttons - riling him on numerous occasions in the build-up to their clash at Las Vegas' MGM Grand.
But relations between the pair became more cordial in the aftermath, though Hatton's camp pointed to the performance of referee Joe Cortez as a mitigating factor in the first defeat of his professional career.
Victories against Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi convinced the 30-year-old that he could still fulfil his ambition of becoming the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world - but those dreams were shattered by the fists of Manny Pacquiao in May this year.
The Filippino knocked out Hatton inside two rounds, raising serious doubts over his future in the sport.
At the moment he is concentrating on his promotions business and after dinner speaking while deliberating over whether or not to call time on his remarkable career.
He has distanced himself from at Battle of Britain clash with new WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan, admitting he is not missing the sport. But he says his failure to establish himself the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet is the one nagging regret of his career.
"I've lost twice and to the two best fighters in the world," he said. "That is the only title left for me, but I will make my mind up."
Mayweather returns to the ring against Marquez next month. If successful he will seek a clash with Pacquiao.
Given Mayweather's well-documented love affair with money, the box office potential of another clash with old foe Hatton would be sure to appeal to him.
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Ah its wonderful to come here are the the Hatton Evening News every day. Another fluff piece that doesnt even scratch the surface.
a. "Ricky Hatton is keeping the boxing world guessing as to his plans for the future" - no he's not - exposed twice - he's a limited fighter and cannot operate at elitle level - he beloved WBU was about right.
b. "if anyone can provoke him into pulling the gloves on once again, it is Floyd Mayweather Jr." - how? why? Mayweather has bigger fish to fry - JMM, Cotto and Hatton demolisher Pacquaio.
c. "performance of referee Joe Cortez as a mitigating factor in the first defeat of his professional career." - that old chesnut - how dare Cortez enforce the rules of boxing when he is a referee!
d. "victories against Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi convinced the 30-year-old that he could still fulfil his ambition of becoming the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world" - I genuinely was laughing out loud when I read that. Why would beating a washed up Lazcano and a feeble Malignaggi make you think you could be P4P#1 when neither of them were even in the P4P Top100.
e. "Given Mayweather's well-documented love affair with money, the box office potential of another clash with old foe Hatton would be sure to appeal to him." - no mention of Hattons love affair with the greenback? Like i have said - Hatton is no longer marketable in the US and it is US PPV figure that makes or breaks "super-fights". Mayweathers got option - Hatton hasnt - actually maybe he does - retire, fight Witter or fight Khan.
Adios!
just being silly now was well out his depth last time , its either kahn or nothing for ricky i think
Rick, you have been one of the true heroes and you will always be known in local boxing circles as a great, correction OUR great.
Please retire if you dont need the lolly anymore, the only thing that can sour the memory of your achievements is if you carry on and some lesser fighter starts catching up with you. You only need to take a look at Mike Tyson to know what I mean. Good luck.
Agree entirley with Angry Mcnasty here - why does the M.E.N constantly have to squeeze as much column inches as possible out of Hatton? The boxing world is not waiting - the town of Hyde and Hattons family may be waiting to see what he does next but thats it I'm afraid. As I've said before the only fight left for Hatton is Witter - to settle an old score, Khan would be a mistake. Mayweather doesn't need to fight Hatton as any boxing fan out there knows, Pacquio is THE fight.
The Evening News needs to concentrate its boxing articles on Manchester's other fighters ie: John / Joe Murray / Amir Khan (ok he's from Bolton) / Mike Jennings / Tyson Fury / Matt Hall etc etc and not Ricky or Matthew Hatton.
No one is questioning the effect Ricky Hatton has had on Manchester boxing or his credentials - but its time to move on
the clones cyclone, actually I am happy to read as many boxing articles in the MEN as posible - and that includes ones about the Hattons - however, there never is any analysis. My issue is that they are basically just Team Hatton press releases and not journalism in my opinion.
rick i hope your mind are ok after that devastating left hook of pacman, it was a beautiful shot that makes a boxing world go round, boxing is alive and punching
Nice to see that this Boxing section appears to have finally got its act together, well at least with the comments and banter anyway. I do stil think that it's a little bit like the Ricky & Amir show or as one of the poster put it an 'advertorial' (quality!).
The one thing that there is no need for is that piece the other week when the M.E.N appeared to have a go at young local lad Tyson Fury for no apparent justifiable reason: He needs all the support he can get, what were you thinking M.E.N ???