Hatton slightly favors Mayweather over Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines -- British boxing great Ricky Hatton, who suffered two of his only three losses to both Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, is betting his money on the undefeated American fighter to win the super fight on May 2 (May 3 Manila time). 

But not as big as he would if the fight happened five years ago. 

In an interview with British leading news content provider ITN, Hatton revealed that he is slightly favoring Mayweather, who knocked him out in 10 rounds in 2007, in the showdown between the best two pound-for-pound boxers of this generation. 

"They're two of the biggest names in the sport... it's briliiant. I always fancied Floyd first. I spent 10 to 11 rounds with him and saw how exceptional he was. He was so talented defensively whereas Pacquiao was so aggressive. And [the fight with Pacquiao] was over before it began really so I got to see how good Floyd was rather than Manny," said Hatton, who was knocked out cold by Pacquiao in just two rounds in 2009. 

"That's why I slightly lean toward Floyd but not by much," he added. 

But Hatton saw a decline in Mayweather's last two fights. 

"His last two performances though have not been two of his best. Opponents such as Manny may look at that and think they have a chance. But since Manny got knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez, he has looked better and better. I'm less confident putting money on Floyd than I was a few years ago," Hatton said. 

Mayweather escaped with a clean slate against Marcos Maidana in his last two fights hammering out a majority and unanimous decisions, in that order.  But he was in trouble at some points of both fights. It's one of those slight openings that Hatton and some of the ring observers cast a doubt on the undefeated American and give Pacquiao a fighting chance. 

Whoever wins the super fight, Hatton believes that it should go down in the history as one of the top three fights of all time. 

"It's great for boxing as it's two of the best in history in the same era and in the same division. It's one of the biggest of all time! Pacquiao is a seven weight champ and Mayweather five. It will be up there with Ali-Frazier and Leonard-Hagler. That's how big this is," Hatton said. 

"My flight is booked."