HATTON FEELING BETTER THAN EVER

Ricky Hatton believes he is in the shape of his life as he left for his training camp in Las Vegas ahead of his showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton will go up against the current pound-for-pound king on May 2 and he feels he is in the best possible condition ahead of the Las Vegas showdown.

'The Hitman' struggled after his only career defeat against Floyd Mayweather Jr, but linking up with his conqueror's father as his new trainer has turned things around.

Hatton was back to his best when he dismantled Paulie Malignaggi, and now the Mancunian is promising an even better performance against the Philippines' finest.

As he left for Las Vegas, Hatton promised that he would improve again from the Malignaggi fight.

"It's the best shape I've ever been in this far out," Hatton told Sky Sports News.

"I've still got five weeks to go and at a push I could be ready in a couple of weeks, so I have to be careful not to overdo it now. But I've got a fair few fights under my belt now and I've got a bit of experience so I can't see that happening, and I'm in perfect shape for training camp.

"This is the best Ricky Hatton. It is even better than the Ricky Hatton that beat Kostya Tszyu and that's my best win to date so far in my career, so I think a lot of people are going to be surprised come fight night."

Hatton's improved skills under Mayweather senior's guidance have seen him improve again, and he says he is better now than he has ever been in every department.

"The difference is I'm back using my head. I'm back using my jab, throwing combination punches as well along with my 100 mph body punching and my aggressiveness, which I suppose is what everyone has come to like about me.

"I've got a little bit more finesse and I'm thinking about what I'm doing instead of steaming in there and making it easy for my opponents so I'm better in every department now."

Hatton has the utmost respect for Pacquiao, but believes he is king of the light-welterweight division - with his only defeat against Mayweather coming at welterweight.

With Pacquiao stepping up in weight, and with Hatton's more polished boxing skills, Hatton thinks Pacquiao and his team will be in for a shock on the night.

"It's a tough fight, he's a southpaw, he's very, very quick, he's a decent puncher, but this is my division," Hatton added.

"I've only lost one in 46 fights and that was up to welterweight, I won a world title at welterweight but it's clear it's not my natural division.

"I really think I'm the boss over my opponents with my size and strength and with my extra boxing ability now which, from what I've heard from the Pacquiao camp I don't think they've prepared for, they're going to be in for a shock."