Ricky Hatton's team have given their approval to the appointment of Joe Cortez as referee for Saturday's showdown with Floyd Mayweather. Cortez oversaw Hatton's win over Jose Luis Castillo in the summer with no complaints from the Briton's camp.
Trainer Billy Graham had voiced concerns that a weaker official might attempt to rein in the fighter's trademark rugged style.
"All we want is a fair shake and hopefully we'll get one," said Graham.
The veteran Puerto Rican is deemed more likely to allow Hatton to draw Mayweather into a close up confrontation, which many feel is his best chance of victory.
Graham also hopes the referee is not tempted to bring the fight to a premature end because of cuts.
"I'm a realist", he said. "I always worry about facial injuries and cuts but we've got a great cuts man in Mick Williamson and I hope we've got a referee who is not squeamish."
Mayweather has already drawn attention to what he sees as Hatton's aggressive approach, insisting the Briton should have been penalised for excessive use of his elbows during his win over Kostya Tszyu.
But Hatton is taking encouragement from the fact that the closest Mayweather has come to defeat was in his first fight with Castillo, another come-forward opponent, in 2002.
Hatton said: "In his first fight, was Castillo's footwork as good as Ricky Hatton's? Was his body punching as good? Is he as big a hitter? Does he have as much boxing ability?
"I would have to say no to all of them. I think even in his prime I am better in every department."
Castillo himself believes Hatton can cause an upset in Las Vegas on Saturday.
He said: "Mayweather is very quick and sharp but Hatton throws a lot of heavy punches, moves better and is faster than people believe.
"Hatton is a very proud, strong fighter and he can win. I have no doubt about that."
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.
Floyd Mayweather has sought to repair his public image ahead of his Las Vegas fight with Ricky Hatton on 8 December. The WBC welterweight king has alienated many fans with his constant trash talk, while support for down-to-earth British challenger Hatton has been growing.
Mayweather said: "Each fight has to have a good guy and a bad guy, but I'm just saying I believe in my skills.
"Everybody's entitled to judge a person how they want to do, but I've got a good heart."
The American added: "I never did anything illegal, and all I did was go out there to dedicate myself to the craft of boxing.
"I conduct myself like a gentleman. I'm not out there pushing Ricky Hatton off the stage or shoving him.
"When I fought Oscar de la Hoya I was the bad guy, but when I fought Zab Judah I was the good guy because he was even worse than I was.
"Ricky Hatton is not a trash talker, Floyd Mayweather has been a trash talker for over a decade. I've been in 18 or 19 championship fights and I know what it takes.
"That's the hand you're dealt and you have to deal with it. Everything is a struggle, but you don't let anything break your confidence."
Mayweather, 30, seen as the world's current best pound-for-pound fighter, denied his brash confidence meant he was underestimating Hatton.
"I don't overlook any of my opponents," he claimed. "I always approach every fight in a great manner and I am always pushing myself to the limit and trying to get the best out of myself.
"I'll continue to do that. I always train hard and I dedicate myself so that in 20 years' time when my grandkids read stories about me they'll know that I was one hell of a good fighter."
Hatton preferred to stay focused on the fight and insists he is well prepared for what Mayweather might throw at him.
"The tactics are going to be clear; I'll be on the front foot and Floydy will be on the back foot," he said.
"We might stand toe-to-toe for a bit - he likes to stand in there and make opponents miss and soak up shots - but I've got to be careful I don't put in too many punches the first six rounds and leave a bit of energy for the final six.
"But, tactically, I think I know what he's up to and I believe I'm going to do it."
I have a really good feeling Ricky will give Floyd the beating he deserves. One of my mates is having a house party and has ordered the fight so I am looking forward to a great fight and an English victory
I hope Ricky Fatton pulls this one off. I think the fight is going to hinge on if the ref allows Ricky to bully Mayweather around. I dont thing Mayweather has evenr really been challenged and it will be interesting to see how he responds to someone really pushing him.
KING
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
Hatton v Mayweather Date: Sunday, 8 December Starts from: 0100 GMT Location: Las Vegas Listen: BBC Radio 5live Updates: BBC Sport website and mobile
Floyd Mayweather has dismissed rumours that his fragile hands will cause the postponement of this weekend's super-fight against Ricky Hatton.
Mayweather, 30, cancelled a training session on Monday, leading to reports that Sunday's fight in Las Vegas might be called off.
But Mayweather told BBC Sport: "The fight's not in jeopardy at all.
"My hands are great and there will be no excuses. I feel tremendous and training camp went well for me."
The American added: "He'll (Hatton) fight his heart out, but he's got a weakness and on fight night I'll show you what it is. It won't go the distance."
Mayweather, who was booed at a photo opportunity at the MGM Grand on Tuesday, said he was not fazed at being given such a hostile reception in his hometown.
"I'm always being put in that position," said the five-weight world champion, who will be putting his WBC welterweight belt on the line against Hatton.
"It was the same when I fought Arturo Gatti (Mayweather won by stoppage last June) and the same when I fought Oscar de la Hoya (Mayweather won by split decision in May of this year).
"You've got to have a villain and they'll always make me a villain. I'm used to it - it makes me work harder and it makes me fight harder.
"Ricky Hatton never had this many fans here before - it's all part of the Mayweather experience. I'm putting him in a position to buy a lot of Guinness."
Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 38 professional encounters, added that he believes Hatton is rattled and will be made to pay for any anger in the ring.
"Have you known Ricky Hatton to be a trash-talker before?" added Mayweather.
"No? Exactly. He'll fight hard because he's mad and upset. If you fight angry, you make a lot of mistakes, and when you fight a sharp, witty fighter like me, you can't make mistakes.
"He's been down, he cuts easily, he swells and he's fighting the best in the sport. Everyone talks about Hatton's pressure - pressure, pressure, pressure, it's been the same game-plan against me since 1987."
Mayweather was also confident experienced referee Joe Cortez would not put up with any roughhouse tactics from 29-year-old Hatton, who is unbeaten in 43 bouts.
"You can't use roughhouse tactics in Las Vegas," he said.
"Over here, we have the Nevada Commission and we have a tremendous referee in Joe Cortez, and they're fair and firm.
"Boxing is an art, a science. This is smart, intelligent boxing over here in the States."
Lots of guys had the same thought. Care to guess how many have had luck using that tactic ? I just hope that your boy will be entertaining because I honsetly don't hold much hope for him to win this fight . As for the ref ... I like Joe and he won't put up with any nonesense in the ring but I hope he stays out of the outcome and just lets them bang away . Any way it goes..here's to a good scrap and may the best man ( Pretty Boy Floyyd ) win.
Yeah, Mayweather is and always has been a punk but now Riddler has me in a position to actually root for this turd . I hope that Hatton rocks him early and often but I'm betting that won't happen ....sigh. Oh well it's a win/win for me saturday night either way it pans out.
Me too but I don't know if I can afford it. I need to figure out how to use SopCast and hopefully someone will have it on there. Never used SopCast before.
Looks like all of England came down for this one at the weigh in. I hope Hatton can pull this off tonight, the Strip will be filled with Manchester's finest.
Boxing just kind of bores me anymore. I love the sport but thee really aren't a lot of great fighters anymore (at any weight class) , atleast not like there used to be. Boxing also hasn't had a heavyweight super talent since Tyson and he fizzled out unceremoniously.
Quote: Is there a possible chance the winner and Kelly Pavlik ever get into the same weight class,...???
Well the middleweight max is 160(whick Pavlik struggles to get down to) and the welterweight max is 147(which Haton struggles to make). I would think there would be a better chance of Hatton moving up the Pavs moving down.
After Hatton takes care of Mayweather tonight that could be a interesting scenario.
KING
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
Well i "was" struggling for inspiration. (Note:Past tense) 
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