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Mayweather has Manny's number - Hatton

Manny Pacquiao was regularly caught by Juan Manuel Marquez in their fight © Getty Images

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Britain's Ricky Hatton says a super-fight between pound-for-pound rivals Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jnr could be an "anti-climax" because he has the American winning by a "wide points decision".

Hatton, a former two-weight world champion, knows both fighters' styles well after suffering the only two losses of his career against the modern-day greats. Mayweather - who is yet to taste defeat as a pro - is a slick counter-puncher who prides himself on a near-impenetrable defence. Pacquiao, on the other hand, is a pressure fighter whose aggression is unparalleled.

In what was to be Hatton's last fight, Pacquiao delivered a devastating display to knock out the Hitman in two rounds in 2009, and yet, despite that result, Hatton believes the more calculating Mayweather - who stopped the Mancunian in the 10th round of their fight in December 2007 - would flourish under the Filipino's pressure.

Pacquiao is currently weighing up whether to give Juan Manuel Marquez a rematch - which would be their fourth meeting - after he edged to a hugely debateable majority decision victory earlier this month, or make moves to secure a fight with Mayweather on May 5. Marquez won the fight in many people's eyes and, given that he is another who likes to wait until he is under attack before launching his own assaults, Hatton feels Pacquiao would struggle against the far more elusive Mayweather.

"I thought Manny had problems with Marquez's style and maybe he would always have problems with that style," Hatton told boxingscene.com. "Pacquiao is a pure fighter. On the strength of that contest and performance, it is hard to see how Manny would beat Floyd Mayweather if they actually ever meet in a ring.

"I know people really talk that fight up, and are really excited about it happening, but I actually think that though people are talking about it as one of the biggest fights of all time, it could actually be an anti-climax because it could be a wide points decision for Floyd over Manny."

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