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Hatton Has Plenty Of Support

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By GREG BEACHAM, The Associated Press

Published: December 8, 2007

LAS VEGAS - In one corner of the MGM Grand, jet-lagged English boxing fans in Manchester City jerseys knock back pints in the early morning and burst into songs celebrating Ricky Hatton.

In another corner of the bustling casino are hard-bitten American cowboys, many in garish rodeo shirts and 10-gallon hats. Their countryman, Floyd Mayweather Jr., is fighting in his adopted hometown - yet some of the good ol' boys rubbing shoulders with the British lads are turning into Hatton fans, one glass at a time.

"All Americans will be Hatton fans as soon as they know Ricky," said Trevor Smith, a pint-wielding businessman from Manchester. "He's a people's champion. Nobody loves Floyd like we love Ricky - not even his mum."

Several thousand English supporters are in town to watch the undersized welterweight shoot for an improbable upset tonight in a meeting of unbeaten fighters.

Mayweather (38-0, 24 KOs) says he is the face of boxing and an A-list star. But the crackling atmosphere on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip is mostly due to the presence of Hatton (43-0, 31 KOs), the beloved brawler in the biggest fight of his career.

The excitement multiplied at Friday's weigh-in - the only chance for thousands of Hatton fans without a fight ticket to see their man, since brokers already were charging up to $45,000 two days beforehand. They packed nearly every seat on one end of the Grand Garden Arena, singing at deafening volume while clapping and banging drums.

"This really is the tip of the iceberg, in terms of what it's going to be like tomorrow night," said Wayne Newton, the celebrated Vegas crooner.

The crowd roared at Hatton's fist-pumping entrance and booed Mayweather relentlessly before erupting in excitement when the fighters bumped chests.

Mayweather's superior size, reach and defensive skills make the WBC title fight a mismatch. But it's not just the partying Brits who believe Hatton has a chance.
Hatton is a relentless competitor who makes up for his shortcomings with a never-back-down style. He has never had problems absorbing punishment while dishing it out. But no fighter in the last few years has penetrated Mayweather's defense.

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