Duo’s desperation could spur classic

Every fight in Ricky Hatton's career has raised him a step closer to the big stage he will occupy tonight. At this point, he either launches himself as a star or stumbles down the ladder.

Undefeated and under the brightest spotlight he has seen, "The Hitman" from Manchester, England, knows what he's risking in Las Vegas.

"The stakes are massive," said Hatton, who defends his IBO super lightweight title against Jose Luis Castillo at the Thomas & Mack Center. The HBO-televised bout is scheduled for 7 p.m., and a crowd of about 18,000 is expected. "I think fights don't really get bigger than this in many ways.

"If I win this, I raise the bar again and it opens so many doors to so many big fights, so that's what makes the fight even bigger for me."

A victory could define the 28-year-old Hatton (42-0, 30 knockouts) as one of boxing's elite performers and possibly set him up for a megafight with the tentatively retired Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A defeat could take the air out of his ascending career.

Castillo (55-7-1, 47 KOs) might have more at stake. The 33-year-old from Mexico is fighting for his professional life.

"It might be his last chance," Hatton said of Castillo.

With two desperate boxers prepared to lay it all on the line, the stage is set for a potential classic.

"This is a big fight for both of us," Castillo said. "We both want big fights, big-money fights, and this is what's going to lead to all those fights.

"Hatton is there to be beaten, and I know I am going to be the first boxer to do it. I am not bothered about his unbeaten record. It will end."

A rowdy crowd of mostly British fans crammed into a Caesars Palace ballroom for Friday's weigh-in. Both fighters checked in at the 140-pound limit, erasing the possibility of pre-fight controversy.

The drama has been reserved for the ring, where two fighters with aggressive styles plan to put on a show.

"It can't be anything other than exciting," Hatton said. "I want to be involved in a fight where in years to come people are talking about it. If you pick anybody out there in boxing today, and if you could pick two styles that would make the best fight, I think you would pick me and Castillo.

"We never take a backwards step, we both go for the knockout, and we're both probably two of the best body punchers in the world. If that can't make a good fight, I don't know what can."

Hatton, who is about a 2-1 favorite, expects to have most of the crowd support.

"I'm not saying I'm the greatest fighter in the world, but I'm certainly one of the biggest draws," he said.

Castillo, a Mexican legend who has won nine of 10 fights since a loss to Mayweather in 2002, said he is "not worried" about who has more fans.

"Up in the ring, it's going to be me, him and the referee who's going to count him out," said Castillo, seemingly on the decline since two memorable fights with the late Diego Corrales in 2005. "I need the motivation of facing someone like Hatton to get the best out of me.

"I have been in a lot of big wars, and I need the best opponents to make me fight at my best."

Since impressively defeating Kostya Tszyu and Carlos Maussa in England in 2005, Hatton has struggled to fight at the same level in the United States. His past two victories, over Luis Collazo in Boston and Juan Urango in Las Vegas, were uninspiring.

He said his training for Castillo has put him in top shape.

"With my last two performances not quite being vintage, it's been a little bit frustrating," Hatton said. "I think I have better boxing ability and I'm physically stronger than Castillo. I think I have the edge in speed and the edge in footwork, and that will help me move him back.

"These are the sort of fights I live for, and I think this fight will be one to remember."

If it is a classic, Mayweather might await the winner.