RICKY HATTON IS THREE-MENDOUS

RICKY HATTON reckons he will become British boxing's triple hitter here this weekend.

Around 5,000 British fans will be joining him in the world's gambling capital when he risks his IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight titles against Paulie Malignaggi on Saturday.

British fans have been spoilt rotten this month with Joe Calzaghe annihilating Roy Jones Jr and David Haye showing he is ready for the world's best heavyweights by stopping Monte Barrett.

Hatton predicted: "It has been a great month and I will continue that good run. There will be a big performance from me on Saturday."

Manchester's fight idol is a 5-2ON favourite on the sportsbook at the MGM Grand to make it terrific treble for British boxers against American rivals in the space of 21 days.

'The Hitman' believes Calzaghe should be crowned the best fighter on the planet following his New York triumph against four-weight world champion, Jones Jr.

Ripped

He said: "You can't praise Joe's performance enough. He has got to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world alongside Manny Pacquiao.

"If you did want to put a dampener on it, which I don't - Bernard Hopkins was 43 when Joe beat him and Jones is 39.

"Roy's physique wasn't cut and ripped but that was to be expected. I would rather give Joe the praise than pick holes."

More than 35,000 Britons invaded Sin City when Ricky lost his unbeaten record to Floyd Mayweather Jr last December, but an economic crisis has hit wallets.

You could get $2 to £1 back then. Now it is just $1.40 and Las Vegas which depends on tourists and gamblers is feeling the pinch more than most American cities.

Unemployment is soaring as casinos lay off workers, repossessions are at a record high and The Strip is quieter than ever in a city once considered recession-proof.

The MGM Grand Garden has been scaled down from its full capacity of 16,270 to 12,000 for Hatton's make-or-break fight. A ringside ticket is over £700, the cheapest around £107 and tickletless fans could pick up a bargain come fight night.

"People are having to make hard decisions," Hatton said.

"I completely understand. Times are tough back home as they are here in the States. So I truly appreciate everyone who is coming over to watch."

OUCH - Ricky Hatton feels the force of Floyd Mayweather Jnr's right fist

Manchester's King of Sting has been holed up in the Nevada desert for almost five weeks making sacrifices needed to beat the best.

Ricky, 30, said: "I just want to go home after this fight because I want to see my family.

"I haven't seen my son Campbell for several weeks and it's the longest we've ever been apart, but it will be worth what I have missed out on to beat Malignaggi.

"I would not change it for the world. For future fights in Las Vegas five weeks out here will become the norm.

"I have always felt better the longer I have come out for fights in America.

"The first time in Boston for Luis Collazo it was just a week and that wasn't enough. Then it was a couple of weeks or so for the Jose Luis Castillo fight and slightly longer for Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"You can come here and get fit but you have to get Las Vegas fit.

Payday

"The air is so thin and so dry it's different. Anyone who comes here for a holiday will find it takes them a week to adjust properly, let alone do the training for a big fight like this."

Hatton has been living in an apartment with brother Matthew, who boxes Ben Tackie on the undercard, and Adrian Gonzalez, the stepson of co-trainer Lee Beard just off the neon lighted strip.

Britain's most popular box office fighter even calls Las Vegas his 'second home' but refuses to stay in hotels before fights because of the constant air conditioning.

When he stayed in the Paris Hotel before his points win against Juan Urango in January 2007 he caught a virus that affected his performance.

But he knows there can be no excuses for any poor displays against Malignaggi, especially with a £10 million payday for facing Oscar de la Hoya or Pacquiao going begging.

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