Hobson makes Mayweather offer

ITV.COM
Hobson makes offer to MayweatherRicky Hatton's promoter Dennis Hobson has upped the stakes in his bid to secure a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather by offering the American $10million to come to Britain.

Hobson is convinced he can put together an offer to tempt the 'Pretty Boy' to come out of his short retirement to fight Hatton in the first big fight at the new Wembley Stadium.

Mayweather has already said he would be willing to come back to fight Hatton, who looked hugely impressive in his fourth-round stoppage of Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas last weekend.

Hobson said: "I've offered Floyd $10million to come to Britain and find out who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

"Mayweather is saying he wants to put pen to paper and this is his big chance to do so. It is a very substantial offer so if Mayweather is serious it is there for him to agree.

"I have already spoken to some of his people and they have been very receptive. Now I am just waiting for them call back and indicate their level of interest."

Hobson insists the expected huge attendance figures could bankroll the fight, for which Hatton would expect a similar-sized purse.

He added: "There is no reason we can't do it over here. We would be happy to align it with pay-per-view time in the States so it could suit both sides of the Atlantic."

Hobson, who is currently negotiating with Hatton to extend his own promotional contract, has revealed he has also been in talks with representatives of IBF light-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi.

Hobson added: "Talks with Malignaggi's camp have been encouraging but that is definitely a Madison Square Garden fight. Ideally we would like to get the next one secured in this country for Ricky."

 

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Ricky Hatton is "chomping at the bit" to begin negotiations over a superfight with Floyd Mayweather, according to his father Ray.

The likelihood of agreeing a showdown with Mayweather moved a step closer on Tuesday when the American's adviser Leonard Ellerbe declared they wanted to sign a deal "as soon as possible".

And Mayweather's eagerness to shelve his retirement plans has been welcomed by Hatton, whose drawing power in the United States has soared following Saturday's crushing four-round demolition of Jose Luis Castillo.

"We're up for the fight, you've got to be up for a fight like that," Ray Hatton told Radio Five Live.

"But it doesn't always end with the two fighters, there tends to be a few people getting in between.

"Ricky is chomping at the bit. I've spoken to him a little bit before all this came out and he said it's a no-brainer. It's a definite yes.

"Ricky will fight him anywhere - that's the difference between him and Floyd, who wants it on home turf."

Mayweather, who defeated Oscar de la Hoya at light-middleweight last month before announcing his retirement, is ready to step down a division in order to fight Hatton.

The chances of Hatton moving back up to welterweight following 12 uninspiring rounds against Luis Collazo last year appeared remote, but the 28-year-old Mancunian must compromise if he wants to face Mayweather.

Father Ray insists valuable lessons have been learned from the disappointing display against Collazo and a new approach to meeting the 147lbs limit will be taken.

"Ricky would be prepared to come up a weight. The two camps would have to get their head around it but it's not an obstacle, not for a fight of this magnitude," he said.

"This time if we knew we were going up to 147 we'd do it differently, we wouldn't have five weeks to go up to 147.

"We'd do it from day one of a 12-week training camp. Ideally you need longer to grow into the weight, as Floyd as has.

"We wouldn't make the same mistake of bringing Ricky in too heavy. We would even sacrifice some of the weight so he can keep his speed."

Brash-talking Mayweather has already started directing insults at Hatton, labelling him a "great phoney", and Ray believes any contest would be clash of "good versus bad".

"That's typical Floyd Mayweather. He disrespects people in one breath and praises in another," he said.

"It's quite amusing because we know the game and we've heard it all before. It's part of the hype and is good for boxing.

"You've got Mayweather who is the brash, cocky kid and then there's Ricky Hatton, the kid next door who everyone likes. It's good versus bad.

"Ricky thinks Floyd is a fantastic talent and pound for pound the best in the world.

"Ricky respects Floyd but told him that his four rounds against Castillo were more exciting than anything from the whole of Floyd's career.

"It was tongue in cheek but all good stuff. Ricky has been baiting Floyd, but it's tongue in cheek."