By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FLOYD Mayweather Jr., the undefeated former world welterweight champion, who retired as the world’s no. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, has just one comment on the showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton—both have been in wars.

Mayweather’s brief comment was relayed to www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports by Anthony “Tony” Martin, who is now working with Mark Jason Melligen at the Mayweather gym in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Martin told Standard Today that he spoke to Mayweather, who visited the gym and watched Melligen spar eight rounds in preparation for his US debut against Ramon Montano on March 7 in Denver, Colorado.

When asked some two weeks ago about the chances of coming out of retirement, Mayweather told Martin: “It’s time for me to move on. I really have no interest as my life is good without boxing.”

But Martin noted that when Mayweather Jr. visited the gym and watched Melligen sparring, he seemed different. “He generated excitement in his eyes. There is a good possibility it will happen and for sure, if the money is right.”

Pacquiao and his entourage left for London yesterday morning and are expected to arrive in the British capital at 3 p.m. for his first face-to-face meeting with Hatton.

“I’m very excited about seeing London for the first time and facing Hatton and I am prepared for the ribbing I will get from his English fans. I like that and I understand because his countrymen, especially his hometown fans, love him. I will just smile it off.”

When informed that trainer Lee Beard told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Hatton was in really good shape and his fitness was very good, and that his six-pack abs showed ripped abdominal muscles, Pacquiao laughed it off, saying: “That’s what they always say. No matter how good your condition, what is necessary is action on top of the ring. Let’s see when the fight takes place.”

Pacquiao added: “It will be a great fight. This is a different fight from the one against Oscar de la Hoya. Hatton doesn’t stop punching. I like this fight because there will be a lot of action atop the ring. He will punch and punch so I have to sacrifice in training, remain disciplined and train hard for my countrymen.”

He said eight weeks of training will be enough, “because my last fight was not so long ago.”

Pacquiao agreed with the observation of trainer Freddie Roach that Hatton was tailor-made for him. “I agree, but this is a hard fight, he throws a lot of punches and any fan, who loves action, will want to watch this fight. This is a great matchup.”