Hatton banking on crowd support

Ricky Hatton says the vast majority of the Las Vegas crowd will be cheering for him when he fights Floyd Mayweather in Saturday's WBC welterweight clash.

The Briton even believes some American fans will back him at the MGM Grand.

"Even in his home town, I believe the vast majority will be cheering for me," Hatton told BBC One's Inside Sport.

"When you see how Floyd belittles people, throwing his money in their face - you're not going to get a following doing that."

Hatton, 29, said fans warmed to him because of his modest, down-to-earth demeanour.

In contrast, 30-year-old Mayweather is renowned for being brash and arrogant.

"That's why I have the following I do - not just because of the way I fight, but because of the way I am," Hatton said.

"There are only going to be 5,000 Brits in the venue on the night, but I believe there's 20,000 come out for the weekend.

"We even get fan mail and e-mails from the US. I shouldn't get patted on the back for being it, because it's the way everyone should be.

"Floyd has a 'look at me, look at you' type of attitude with his money."

Tickets for the fight at the 16,000-seat MGM Grand sold out months ago.

The fight is being billed as "Undefeated", because it pits champion Mayweather, who is undefeated in 38 fights, against Hatton, who has won all of his 43.

3 December, 2320 GMT, BBC ONE

Source: BBC Sport