Hatton: I'm going to win. You can put your house, your garage, your shed, your garden gnome on it

The British champion was in totally upbeat mood ahead of their multi-million dollar welterweight showdown in Las Vegas, telling his fans: 'I'm going to win, and become the first fighter to beat Mayweather. You can put your house, your garage, your shed, your garden gnome on it.

Close contest: Hatton and Mayweather at the weigh-in

'I can't lose. I know I can't lose. I don't think I've ever gone into a fight feeling so confident. I know I will do it and make British fight history.'

More than 15,000 British fans are here to cheer on the undefeated Hatton as he challenges one of boxing's all-time greats.

Hundreds of thousands of supporters back home will be staying up well into the early hours or setting their alarms to get up and watch this eagerly awaited ring battle.

Mayweather has come out of retirement after Hatton threw down the gauntlet in a bid to be acclaimed undisputed World No 1.

Hatton appears to have gained the psychological advantage in recent days. The two had to be separated for the second time this week at last night's weighin, at which Hatton came in 2lb under the welterweight limit of 10st 7lb.

Mayweather was jeered by 6,000 Hatton supporters and, after a brief pushing match on the stage, Hatton took the mic and called out: 'Who have you come to see? Who's taking the belts? Let's f***ing have it!'

If he lives up to his promise and claims Mayweather's crown, the 'Hitman's' trainer Billy Graham has advised him to quit.

Graham said: 'It's a personal thing, but I would be happy for him to retire. When Ricky has got enough glory I'm sure his ego will be satisfied. When he beats Floyd, the only thing to gain after that is money.

'There is nobody who will miss him more than me but I would be quite content for Ricky to hang up his gloves after this fight. If you've got enough money, why risk everything?

'Ricky has another career ahead of him. His career doesn't end when he decides to pack up boxing.'

The build-up to the bout was marred by remarks made by Mayweather's uncle and trainer, Roger, in which he said: 'Even if he (Hatton) comes out of the ring alive he's going to be so f***** it won't make any difference.'

Trash-talking from the champion's camp has broken every convention in a sport where threats to kill in the ring are considered beyond the pale and Ray Hatton, Ricky's father, recoiled at the outburst.

'It's just street thuggery, isn't it,' he said. 'You give people who hate the sport a chance to say, "There you go, that's what it's like".'

And in a final swipe, Hatton's dad said: 'If you had a dog that daft you wouldn't feed it.'