RICKY Hatton has started the final countdown to his career-defining fight against Floyd Mayweather Jnr in Las Vegas a week on Saturday.

The Hitman flew out to the United States last Thursday where he, brother Matthew and Matt Macklin settled into accommodation before starting training camp.

Monday saw Hatton embark on the first day of sparring at the gym with partners Rock Allen and Karl Dargan.

Having pronounced himself pleased with the workout, Hatton has fully overcome the time difference nine days before he takes on the self-styled ‘Pretty Boy’ with both men’s unbeaten records on the line.

Despite fighting on home soil, Mayweather will not have as great a support as Hatton who, as well as having thousands of Mancunians in his corner, also apparently has the support of promoter Oscar De la Hoya.

De la Hoya, who was beaten by Mayweather earlier in the year, is offering Hatton by recommending sparring partners who he thinks will provide the best suitable warm-up.

Hatton said: "Oscar has probably more contacts than anyone in boxing, and he recommended me to use the sparring partners he had when he boxed Mayweather. They’ve been brilliant.

"I sparred with them for three weeks in England and now they’re here with me this week. I know Oscar is behind me."

"Mayweather disrespected him before their fight, but then he disrespects everyone. After you’ve shared a ring with someone, respect is usually mutual and maybe that will be the case after I fight Mayweather – but I don’t know.

"I don’t look at the man, or the belts he has got, or the fights he has won. I look at him as a fighter, I look at his style and assess whether I have what it takes to beat him. I believe I can not only beat Mayweather, but I can stop him."

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