Ricky Hatton's excesses tamed as he prepares for Manny Pacquiao arrival

According to several insiders from Ricky Hatton's camp, the thoughts of trainers Floyd Mayweather Snr and Lee Beard on Hatton's excesses between fights have found a foothold.

Hatton has not 'binged' on his family holiday this year, and is believed to have had an earlier 'cut-off' point in his celebrations. Hatton is deadly serious about this contest, having felt he underperformed when he fought the then world No 1 pound for pound fighter in Floyd Mayweather Jnr 15 months ago.

It also appears that Hatton has grown tired of looking 'big' next to his upcoming opponents, with Manny Pacquiao due for a public fan rally in Manchester on Saturday, with the pair then heading down to London for a press open day at the Imperial War Museum on Monday.

Several times now, Hatton the man who has promoted his contest three months before on a press tour is not the man who appears in front of the fans and media in fight week.

Hatton is serious - and that can only be good, as Manny Pacquiao has the potential to close Hatton's career if he is not in tip-top shape.

Beard insists fans should not worry. "Ricky is coming along and is in great shape."

Pleasing for the camp, is that Hatton has passed several early fitness tests with flying colours. It is also a sign of growing maturity with the Mancunian, who wants two more fights after this, potentially against Floyd Mayweather Jnr, and one other major name,

For now, having been dismantled by Pacquiao, last December, Oscar De La Hoya would seem out of the equation. Beard is insistent on having Mexican sparring partners to approximate the Pacquiao style, admitting there is no-one in the UK capable of creating the havoc that the Filipino can generate in a ring.

Beard, who has been studying Pacquiao's style in minute detail, said the hallmarks of Hatton's opponent were "extremely strong fighter, very active and throws every punches in the book, allied with variety of punches, good on his feet and fine defensively or offensively going forward or backwards." No wonder Hatton is already in shape !

The business begins this weekend. It will be a long haul until the moment they meet at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on May 2.