LAS VEGAS, (Reuters) – Ricky Hatton’s trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr has shrugged off rumours of discord in the British fighter’s camp, saying he was happy with the build-up to today’s 12-round title bout.
Englishman Hatton, undefeated at his natural weight of 140 pounds, will defend his IBO light-welterweight title against Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao today.
“It doesn’t mean that the camp wasn’t a good camp because people had their problems,” Mayweather told reporters at the MGM Grand Hotel on Thursday.
“I think we had a good camp. Was there a problem there? Yes. But I will say right here that the camp was good.”
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach earlier told reporters that Mayweather had been late for at least one of Hatton’s sparring sessions.
“I think it’s a slap in the face for a trainer to show up late for a training session with a world champion,” Roach said.
Mayweather sidestepped the allegations, but hinted there had been a disagreement with his assistant trainer Lee Beard.
“Why pick on Lee out of everybody? You have all kinds of people coming in (to camp), not just me and Lee. But you could be on the right track,” he said, without providing further details.
Tonight’s fight will be Hatton’s second under Mayweather’s charge. Their previous outing was in November when Hatton, 45-1 (32 KOs), stopped American Paulie Malignaggi in the 11th round.
Hatton, who will go into the fight against former four-division world champion Pacquiao as underdog, last week described Mayweather as “arguably the best coach in the world” and said his training camp could not be better.
