Mayweather-Hatton set for MGM

When it's time to talk tough, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is never at a loss for words. His confidence comes from never losing in the ring.

"To say there's another fighter better than me is ridiculous," Mayweather said.

Ricky Hatton is getting his shot to challenge that statement on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas. In a battle of unbeatens, Mayweather (38-0, 24 knockouts) and Hatton (43-0, 31 KOs) will meet at the MGM Grand Garden, according to two sources close to the negotiations.

Mayweather announced Friday he is coming out of a brief retirement to take on Hatton, who said, "Mayweather is a dream fight for me."

But there might not be a title on the line, said Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's business adviser.

"Obviously, that's Floyd's call on that. It's not really important," Ellerbe said. "It's a fight for supremacy."

Both fighters hold Ring Magazine titles -- Hatton at 140 pounds and Mayweather at 147. The bout will be at 147, where Mayweather also owns the WBC welterweight title.

The HBO pay-per-view event is being put on by Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions in association with Mayweather Promotions. There has been no official announcement on the negotiations from Golden Boy.

"We're still getting together all the details," Ellerbe said. "This is a huge fight."

It will certainly be the biggest-money bout of Hatton's career, and the 28-year-old from Manchester, England, was complimentary of his opponent despite Mayweather's taunts.

"I know it will be the toughest fight of my career," Hatton said. "I can think of no greater motivation than going in against the man considered the world's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter."

Mayweather won a split decision over De La Hoya for the WBC super welterweight title on May 5 before a sellout crowd of 16,700 at the MGM Grand. "Pretty Boy" subsequently announced his retirement, which lasted less than three months.

Hatton retained his 140-pound title with a fourth-round knockout of Jose Luis Castillo on June 23 at the Thomas & Mack Center. After the victory, "The Hitman" called out Mayweather.

Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said Mayweather will be at least a minus-250 favorite over Hatton.

"I think I have the style to beat him," Hatton said. "He's been mouthing off about what he would do to me for years."

Mayweather, elusive and slick, said Hatton's tendency to hold and get physical inside does not concern him.

"It's an exciting fight ... . It depends if he wants to go toe-to-toe or punch-and-hold, punch-and-hold, because nobody wants to see that," Mayweather said. "Facing the best, he's going to be outclassed."