“It’s Mind Games,” Says GBP Source Of Hatton/Mayweather Split Rumor

The alleged riff between Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton and trainer Floyd Mayweather is just rumors according to one Golden Boy Promotions source.

“Whenever there is a big fight you hear these kind of things that come from the other camp,” said a Golden Boy insider who attended many of the training sessions but did not want to be named. “It’s someone trying to start something and get into the other camp’s head. It’s mind games.”

As Hatton and Manny Pacquiao are poised to clash tomorrow at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the Ring Magazine and IBO junior welterweight titles, rumors surfaced including a story by Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports who spoke with attorney Nicholas Khan on the topic.

According to the piece, Khan mentioned that Freddie Roach would like to train Hatton and a Golden Boy junior welterweight fighter Victor Ortiz. But nowhere did Roach go on record that he actually said this.

Is this simply job hunting?

“I think it is an attempt to stir up something,” said the Golden Boy source who is familiar with Roach, Mayweather and Khan. “One thing I know is that Richard Schaefer would never say something like we’re looking for a trainer for this person or that person. It’s always up to the fighter, not up to the promoter.”

Khan told Iole he represents Roach and has represented many fighters in the past including Manny Pacquiao.

Golden Boy thinks he’s hunting on behalf of his client Roach.

“I think he’s trying to drum up business,” said the Golden Boy operative. “The Victor Ortiz thing is the first time I’ve heard this. He’s doing quite well with his current trainer.”

Rumors swirl every time a Las Vegas mega fight occurs.

“It’s an attempt to get into the other camp’s head,” said the source who speaks regularly with Hatton, Mayweather and Schaefer. “Of course nothing is perfect. There are times when the camps may argue or not get along. I’ve seen this in all camps. You get a bunch of guys together for 10 weeks and of course you will get some problems. But this camp is nothing unusual.”