I don't know if this already got mentioned on the board but thought I'd post it anyway... May 2 2009 Frank Haynes RICKY HATTON'S preparations for tonight's showdown with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas have been rocked by a split in his camp. There is friction between coach Floyd Mayweather Senior, whose son defeated Hatton in 2007 to retain the WBC welterweight title, and assistant trainer Lee Beard. Mayweather has been mouthing off and turning up late for training sessions, leaving brassed-off Beard to start on his own. The American coach claimed Hatton couldn't box before he met him and attacked the fighter's home city of Manchester, claiming the weather is "suicidal" and the food "garbage". May - weather did not deny there were issues. He said: "Was there a problem? Yes. It was a problem that was addressed and taken care of without being in the media. I will say this right here, the camp was good. "You're trying to get down to the depths now.Why wouldn't Lee and I be friends?You have people from all walks of life in there, but you could be on the right track. "It doesn't mean a camp isn't a good camp just because a person has a problem. I think it was a good camp." Mayweather has also been doing a good job at talking up Hatton and said: "My guy is the better fighter and I'm the better coach, it's so plain that even Ray Charles can see." However, it is difficult to see how the coach and Beard can work together much longer and defeat to Pacquiao could cause a rethink by the Hattons. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach is aware of problems in Hatton's camp and questioned whether Mayweather is the right man to guide the Hitman. Roach said: "I'd heard that all is not well. Floyd is all me, me, me, but it's not about him, it's about the fighter. I don't think he's the right style, the right trainer for Ricky. It's a slap in the face for a fighter when a trainer turns up late for a training session like he does. I think it's disrespectful for any fighter, let alone a world champion. "If he was my fighter, I'm sure he would be mad at me and I'm sure Ricky wasn't happy." Glittering Hatton knows he cannot afford distractions as he prepares to defend his unbeaten record at light welterweight against Pacquiao - the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. Victory would bring massive rewards and recognition but defeat would rule out grand finale fights against Juan Manuel Marquez and Mayweather Junior. There would be no more glittering nights like this in Vegas and instead Hatton would probably have a farewell fight in Manchester before quitting. And for a man who started out in modest surroundings, he knows he has a lot to lose. Hatton said: "From Widnes leisure centre to this place - I laugh when I think how far I've come. "There I was, making my debut at half-past midnight. There would only have been six people left by that time to see me beat Colin McAuley. "Now look at me. I've won four world titles at two different weights and I've brought 35,000 fans over to LasVegas. "It's not been a bad old ride and hopefully it will come to a climax on Saturday night when I beat Manny." This s40million showdown has been billed as Hatton's strength against Pacquiao's speed but it is more complex than that. Pacquiao, 30, can dig, while Hatton has refined his brawling style. The Hitman did show some subtlety when he stopped Paul Malignaggi,but he isn't in the class of Pacquiao, who has scalped Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, David Diaz and Marco Antonio Barrera in his last four fights. Hatton will have the majority of the crowd behind him but tickets are like gold dust. A pair of front-row seats worth s1400 are fetching s25,000 on the black market. RING STARS BACK RICKY FOR GLORY 'If he can close the range he has great chance.' JOE CALZAGHE 'It will be very close but he will find a way to win.' DAVID HAYE 'If ref lets him he will rough him up and beat him.' . 'Carl Froch I believe 100 per cent that Ricky will triumph.' OSCAR DE LA HOYA
