These two bonuses in his corner will take him to victory over Manny Pacquiao, the world’s No 1 pound-for-pound fighter, on Saturday night, according to the former world champion at six different weight classes.
De la Hoya, dismantled in eight coruscating rounds here by Pacquiao last December, has been coached by Mayweather and Freddie Roach. De la Hoya’s view is clear cut.
“Hatton can confuse you, offset you, and especially with the Mayweather factor in the corner in this fight,” he told Telegraph Sport. “I know Mayweather, what he is capable of, what he plants ? those little details he plants in your head.
“I’m crossing my fingers that Mayweather and Hatton can go undefeated for many years to come. There will be a chess match going on mentally and physically between both camps but, with all due respect to Freddie Roach’s training ability and his team, Mayweather is the better trainer.”
“I’m speaking from experience. He is more technically sound. He teaches you the craft, the art of boxing. He’s old school ? an amazing trainer ? yes, he’s one crazy son of a gun, but mentally he plants those little details in your head for you to become King Kong inside the ring.
“I was extremely surprised how Ricky handled Paulie Malignaggi [in November] last year, but that’s what Mayweather does for you.”
