Ricky Hatton has predicted that Joe Calzaghe will beat Bernard Hopkins on Saturday because he is the busier of the two fighters. Hatton believes the bout will be close but he will be "surprised" if Calzaghe does not triumph.

"Bernard is a great fighter but I just can't see Joe losing," Hatton said. "He will be too busy for Hopkins; he has too much speed and work-rate. The occasion will not get to Joe either. If he hasn't got the confidence to go out and do the business then nobody has."

Hatton will not be in Las Vegas to support his friend because he is preparing to face Juan Lazcano on May 24. "We have been texting each other and I will call Joe before his fight to wish him good luck," the Mancunian said. "I wish I could go over but I'm in the thick of my training. I'll be there in spirit."

Calzaghe saw Hatton's defeat by Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in December but his clash with Hopkins, his 45th fight, will be the first time the 36-year-old undefeated super-middleweight champion has fought in the United States. Hatton admits this lack of experience could disadvantage the Welshman. "It is different flying halfway across the world to a city with an eight-hour time difference," he said. "Joe needs to stay out of the casinos because of the air conditioning. At the highest level that can be the difference. But imagine Joe doing what he has done and not fighting in Las Vegas. That would be a crime."

Source:http://www.casinonews.org/