IT'S The Hitman against the Magic Man in Las Vegas tomorrow night.

And there's only one person that can beat Ricky Hatton - and it's not Paulie Malignaggi.

After his defeat to Floyd Mayweather, and his less-than-convincing win over Juan Lazcano, Hatton has taken stock of his career.

He's got a new trainer and he's worked on a few new things but I don't see a vastly different Hatton stepping into the ring at the MGM Grand. A leopard never changes its spots.

What might be different is a return of the hunger that took Hatton to the top of the light-welterweight division.

Hatton has tremendous heart, and a thunderous body punch, and he will need all of his patience when he goes in against slick Malignaggi.

He will probably try and put the things Floyd Mayweather Snr has taught him into practice but if he doesn't get immediate success, he will return to type.

But I feel Malignaggi's mouth is writing cheques that his body can't cash. He was a shambles in his last outing against Lovemore N'Dou, where he had to have his dreads shorn by his cornerman midway through the fight.

And with his powder-puff punching, he will have to hit Hatton an awful lot over the full 12 rounds to win the fight. You can't see a Malignaggi KO win.

For me, the only person that can beat Hatton is himself.

If the Mancunian champion can keep his chin down, stay patient, and pick his shots then Hatton can stop Malignaggi in seven.

And to see the posturing and pompous Malignaggi eating a huge slice of humble pie would be a satisfying sight indeed.