Jethro's Blogosphere

Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao both look to make history in their boxing blockbuster on Saturday but the winner's richest prize could be a showdown with retired unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

The US superstar welterweight who called it quits after defeating England's Hatton 17 months ago is already training for a comeback, according to his father Floyd Mayweather Snr., who also serves as Hatton's trainer.

"He's back in the gym," Mayweather Snr said.

Mayweather, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, abdicated his pound-for-pound throne after stopping Hatton in the 10th round in December of 2007, avoiding several rivals such as then-unbeaten Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

"I would love another crack at him," Hatton said. "It would be a different outcome."

Filipino hero Pacquiao, now regarded as the pound-for-pound king, admits looking at a Congressional run in his homeland in 2010 but plans also to keep fighting for a while, said he would welcome a chance to meet Mayweather.

"I would fight him if he decided to fight again," Pacquiao said. "I can fight at different weights. It depends on the fighter."

Mayweather Snr taunted Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, with his take on the prospect of a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight should Hatton lose Saturday.

"I know Freddie Roach does not want Manny Pacquiao fighting my son. He knows what's going to happen," Mayweather Snr said. "You know he ain't going to see Floyd. He's going to get knocked out by Ricky. Trust me."

Roach said that while the fight would likely come at a catch weight between 140 and 147 pounds, he had no problem with the idea.

"Manny is not afraid of anyone," Roach said. "Whatever comes next comes next. If Floyd comes out of retirement, OK."

Should Hatton win, that could mean Mayweather Snr training against his son, something he did not do when Mayweather won a split decision over Oscar de la Hoya in May, 2007. De la Hoya retired after losing to Pacquiao last December.

"This is a business," Mayweather Snr said. "He doesn't take care of me so I have to take care of myself."

The Las Vegas Review Journal reported Friday that MGM Grand officials are holding open July 18 for what could be a Mayweather return bout against World Boxing Association super champion Juan Manuel Marquez, 50-4 with one draw and 37 knockouts. Pacquiao defeated Marquez in a split decision last year.

Mayweather played the loud-mouth role to the hilt against de la Hoya to help spark the richest fight in boxing history and also against Hatton in another huge pay-per-view moneymaker.

De la Hoya's large Hispanic following and Hatton's loyal British supporters were the financial engines driving the bouts but the challenge of Mayweather spurred profits and his return could help with de la Hoya now solely promoting and economic conditions worse than before.

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum indicated a catch weight would be part of putting together a deal for a Mayweather fight.

"A lot of these fights will be made at a catch weight. A fight with a Cotto or a Mayweather would be at a catch weight, 144-145 pounds. That would have to be negotiated."