Ricky Hatton says he is in the best form of his career ahead of Saturday's light-welterweight showdown against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

While the bookies may have Pacquiao down as the clear favourite (best priced 1/2 as of Thursday morning with William Hill), the 30-year-old believes he has become a better fighter under trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.

"This is the best Ricky Hatton's ever been," he said.

"I haven't lost too many rounds at junior welterweight, never mind fights, because I've been too strong."

Hatton is 9/5 with bet365 and Boylesports to win at the MGM Grand Garden Arena - fair odds considering he is stepping into the ring with the man considered to be the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

But the Manchester fighter believes his superior strength will be too much for the Filipino to deal with, along with his technical ability.

"It's not just about 'the strongest man wins' in a boxing match," said Hatton, who is Evens with Paddy Power to land the first punch on Saturday night. "Other elements come into it, technical things, the game plan, things like that.

"Technically I was back to my best in my last fight [an 11th-round knockout against Paulie Malignaggi in November 2008] and that was after only seven weeks with my new team.

"I think the difference between my last training camp and this one is night and day, technically."

Hatton is fully focused for Saturday night's fight, although British fans may already be looking further ahead with talk of a summer farewell fight in 2010 at Wembley Stadium.

Should Hatton beat Pacquiao, there has already been talk of one more fight in his home city of Manchester against Juan Manuel Marquez.

That could potentially be the warm-up to a career-ending showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jnr in London, with Hatton looking to seek revenge on the American fighter on his home turf.

Speaking in Las Vegas, Hatton revealed his defeat by Mayweather, the only loss in his 43-fight career, had made him reconsider his approach to boxing.

"In years gone by I'd always shown in glimpses I had a good jab and boxing ability but in too many fights I hadn't been showing it," he said.

"In all my fights I thought I was just going to roll over every one.

"Obviously when I fought Floyd Jr he humbled me and showed me that I'd better go back to basics, even though that fight was at 147 pounds. It showed me that you can't steamroll everyone."

Mayweather's father oversaw Hatton's win over Malignaggi, introducing more technical elements to his style.

But although Hatton believes his new trainer has helped him become a more rounded boxer, he insists he still has the instincts tha thave helped him win 32 of his fights via knockout.

"I am a pressure fighter," said The Hitman. "You couldn't say for the Malignaggi fight that I resorted back to the old Ricky Hatton.

"Everybody thinks because of my new trainer that I've turned into this twinkled-toed jab-and-move boxer. I haven't.

"I'm still aggressive, I'm still a body puncher, still as ferocious as ever; technically, I've just peaked it here and there, jabbing more, moving more, setting my attacks up.

"Everybody is saying I'll resort back but resort back to what? I don't think I've changed a great deal, I'm just more polished in certain areas."

Paddy Power offer 13/8 on Hatton knocking Pacquiao down at any point during the fight, and 4/9 on Hatton being knocked down. You can get 20/1 on Pacquiao meeting the canvas in the opening round with Skybet, who also offer 15/2 on either fighter being knocked down in round one.

Ladbrokes are 4/1 on Pacquiao getting knocked down but going on to win the fight, with Hatton 6/1.

Ricky Hatton v Manny Pacquiao best fight odds:
Hatton - 9/5 (bet365)
Pacquiao - 1/2 (Coral, William Hill)
Draw - 33/1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes)