Floyd Mayweather vs. Amir Khan Update: Ricky Hatton Expects Fellow Briton to Give Floyd Jr. Headaches
British boxing great Ricky Hatton said on Monday that Amir Khan has the perfect style to pull off a gigantic upset win against Floyd Mayweather Jr. if the two fighters end up facing each other on May 3.
Hatton admitted that his fellow Briton will be a heavy underdog against Mayweather, but he feels Khan has a good chance of handing the undefeated American his first loss if he can maximize his fighting style to his advantage.
"I do give Khan a chance. I know a lot of people won't share my enthusiasm, and he will be the underdog, there's no getting away from that and I think Amir would admit that, but styles make fights," Hatton said in an interview with Talksports's Drivetime, BoxingScene reported.
Hatton, who once tried to become the first fighter to defeat Mayweather but failed in his bid during their showdown in 2007, pointed out that the reigning pound-for-pound king loves going up against fighters who run at him.
The former light welterweight champion said that if Khan uses his hand speed and boxing ability to his advantage, he will give Mayweather a lot of headaches in their potential showdown in May in Las Vegas.
"Mayweather likes fighters to run at him and attack him, but he never has to go on the front foot and hunt someone down. If Amir could swallow his pride for one fight and use his hand speed and his boxing ability and let Floyd try to jump all over him, he's probably the only man who can match Floyd for skill," Hatton insisted.
Hatton's assessment is almost similar to what Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach said about Khan's chances against the Grand Rapids native. Roach previously also said that his former fighter has the right style and skill set to beat Mayweather.
See Related: Freddie Roach Believes Amir Khan Can Defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"I've always said Amir has the right style to beat Floyd if he fights correctly and doesn't stay in the pocket too long. I always thought he could beat him with his speed. I think he's faster than Mayweather and that's what it takes to beat him. Floyd might have his hands full on the night," Roach said.
The 36-year-old Mayweather has yet to announce his opponent for his next fight. He recently asked his fans on who to choose between Khan and Marcos Maidana, but it is widely believed that the Briton is the favorite to land a date with Mayweather in May.