Oscar De La Hoya has backed Ricky Hatton to invoke the spirit of some of the greatest fighters in boxing history and overcome Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

De La Hoya has a vested interest in seeing Hatton succeed where 38 other Mayweather opponents have failed as he eyes a super showdown against the Mancunian at Wembley next May. And having pushed Mayweather to a split points decision in his last fight this summer, De La Hoya is ideally placed to insist that Hatton has exactly what it takes to succeed.

"Ricky is a throwback to the great days of the Marvin Haglers and the Roberto Durans who really loved to fight," De La Hoya said. "He is young, hungry and always willing to learn.

"His is the style I prefer because he makes it a much more exciting fight. People like Mayweather are not going to engage and want to fight. I prefer fighters who want to stand in front of you and please the fans."

Hatton's mixture of fighting style and humility has endeared him to fight fans on both sides of the Atlantic and it is hard to find too many Americans willing to back their man Mayweather to win. Hatton was roared to the rafters during his arrival at the MGM Grand yesterday while Mayweather predictably postured amid a chorus of boos from a predominantly Mancunian crowd.

"I read in the programme that all my fans are here to see Floyd but I didn't hear a cheer for him in his home town," Hatton said.

"We all know he comes across as a confident man but I think he's a bit insecure and that might have upset him a little bit. I think I'd hang my head in shame if I came out in Manchester and got a reception like that."

With De La Hoya's help, Hatton has analysed Mayweather's battle with the Golden Boy and has come to the conclusion that his own extra dimensions will make the crucial difference. "It seems funny me criticising him, but if you look at De La Hoya he is a tactician and a combination puncher," Hatton said. "Mayweather wants you to throw combinations so you miss a lot and get tired.

"Oscar has told me that he believes he would have won the fight if he could have done in the last six rounds what he did in the first six. He watched me train on Monday and believes I can do that."

"I don't look at who he's beaten, or how many titles he's won, or who he beat in his last fight. I pick him apart bit by bit and think, 'can I beat him?' And the answer is, 'definitely'."

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