Welterweight titleholder Ricky Hatton takes on veteran Mexican fighter Jose Luis Castillo at 4am UK time this Sunday in Las Vegas.

Hatton is the favourite to emerge victorious for a third successive top billing fight across the Big Pond after beating both Luis Collazo and Juan Urango in previous fights.

There has been some argument over whether, at the age of 28, Hatton no longer has the desire for the sport after securing his future financially and that his infamous after match “celebration” routine is catching up with him before he has even reached the big 3-0.

Admittedly, Hatton did not look great in November 2005 when he knocked out Carlos Muassa in the ninth round, but he was terribly cut by the awkward Colombian and indeed he was not entirely convincing in his victories over both Collazo and Urango.

However, he has the chance to make his doubters eat their words in what will be a tough battle against the man nicknamed “El Terrible”, a professional for 17 years and has earned more stoppage wins than Hatton has had boxing matches.

On his night, he can be a devastating fighter but the veteran of 63 bouts may now be a little battle-weary and did not convince in his last fight against unknown Cameroon boxer Herman Ngoudjo.

Even if Hatton too is on the slide, he will still be some five years younger and stronger than his opponent and any other result than a win for the Manchester puncher will be seen as a major upset.

There seems to be a general consensus among the betting fraternity that while Hatton will win, Castillo will last the distance. Only one man has ever stopped him, Diego Corrales, during his long career as a pro and even then he was stopped on his feet.

Selected Odds

Ricky Hatton 1.50 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Jose Luis Castillo 2.80 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Draw 23.0 (Paddy Power - £25 in Free Bets!)

Hatton on Points 2.25 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round One 67.0 (Ladbrokes - £20 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round Two 67.0 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round Three 51.0 (Coral - £10 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round Four 41.0 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round Five 41.0 (Extrabet - £25 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round Six 34.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round Seven 34.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round Eight 26.0 (Coral - £10 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round Nine 29.0 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round 10 26.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round 11 34.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Hatton Round 12 34.0 (Coral - £10 in Free Bets!)