Magic Man dubs Hitman 'the John Ruiz of the light-welterweights'
Paulie Malignaggi has delivered a damning indictment of Ricky Hatton's talents ahead of their big showdown on November 22.
The pair will lock horns at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to see who is generally acclaimed as the best light-welterweight in the world.
But the Magic Man - never short of a quote for the press - clearly doesn't think he has much to worry about.
He says the Hitman is limited and has described him as the "John Ruiz of the light-welterweight class".
He told Ring magazine: "Hatton is a limited fighter. He can't box. I'm not going to criticise him personally, because I really like Ricky. I just don't think he's much of a fighter, or was ever much of a fighter.
Tactics
"I'm not just talking out of my ass here, he's the John Ruiz of the junior welterweight class."
Hatton will have a new trainer in Floyd Mayweather Snr when he gets into the ring against Malignaggi.
But whatever tactics he employs, Malignaggi says he'll be ready.
"Billy Graham (Hatton's then trainer) tells Ricky in the corner that if he's not doing anything against Mayweather to make sure Mayweather isn't doing anything," he said.
"Basically, Graham was giving Hatton instructions to hold. Believe me, I'll be ready for anything Ricky Hatton has to offer."
