HE MIGHT have signed up to the fight of his dreams, but the nightmare of Ricky Hatton’s defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jnr in December 2007 still haunts him.

Hatton will go toe-to-toe against fierce little Filipino Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2.

It is the most eagerly anticipated clash of the year, but for Hatton, it is a second chance to finally get his gloves on the one title that eludes him — the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

And crucially the Hitman knows with victory over Pacquiao comes power — the power to entice Mayweather Jnr out of retirement and back in the ring for a final showdown.

There is the feeling of unfinished business in the Hatton camp, especially given their view that the Hitman was harshly treated by referee Joe Cortez.

Hatton, 30, told the Advertiser: “How much further can I go? If I’m fortunate to beat Pacquiao, I’ll have achieved my ultimate goal. I’ll be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

“Then I want another crack at Mayweather.”

“I’ll be honest, it sticks in my throat that solitary defeat. I don’t want to retire with it niggling at me. I owe it to myself to put the record straight.

“I don’t want to be one of those grumpy old men who sits in their armchair moaning on about how I would have won the fight had it not been the referee.

“If I can beat Manny in May, it will give me more power to maybe bring Mayweather over here this time — and this time I’ll choose the ref!”

However, the Pacman comes first and Hatton is keen to point out he realises the daunting task in hand.

Pacquiao, also 30, is an aggressive southpaw who hits hard, racking up titles from flyweight to welterweight and shocking the world by pummeling Oscar de la Hoya to a pulp at the latter weight in December .

Hatton said: “To do that is nothing short of phenomenal.  There won’t be much dancing, we both like to get stuck in. I can’t see it going the distance.”

Hatton set off on his annual Caribbean cruise last week, but on his return, will begin an eight-week training camp in Nevada with trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr.

“It’s a long time to be away from the family, but with a fight of this stature I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do,” added Hatton.

With the legal wrangling at an end and a 50/50 split agreed, the Hitman against the Pacman is a reality - the outcome that everyone wanted.

LAST Thursday’s press conference, held at Ashton’s Village Hotel, saw Hatton announce the signings of new boxers to his fledgling Hatton Promotions group.

Younger brother Matthew, along with 2008 Olympian Joe Murray, Rhys Roberts, Scott Quigg, Matthew Askin and Danny Butler will appear on his first two cards in March.

One takes place in Bristol on March 14 and the other in Altrincham a fortnight later, where the younger Hatton and Murray will feature.

Tweet