Believe it or not, I think that Hatton holds a much higher chance of beating Cotto in a intense fight fought at very close quarters than he has in penetrating Mayweather's defense and try to connect in a very elusive target. If that very unlikely scenario presents itself, Hatton doesn't have any advantage in coming back to light-welter as Junior Witter and Rees may beat him still and he would not be credited/payed as much as if he lost for a WBC-WBA welterweight unification. I feel Ricky Hatton has in him three great fights still whether he loses or wins against Floyd Mayweather.
I agree, i think that people are over estimating how strong that Cotto would be. I think that Hatton has a much better chance in a brawl with Cotto than when he fights Mayweather.