Floyd Mayweather senior insists he will shun Floyd junior to be in Ricky Hatton's corner should they have a rematch.

Reports in America suggest the retired Mayweather jr is ready for a return to the ring and, if so, Hatton would love another shot at the only man to have beaten him in his 46-fight professional career.

Things have changed significantly for Hatton since that defeat more than 18 months ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

After a sloppy win over Juan Lazcano last May he joined forces with Mayweather sr to beat Paulie Malignaggi in November.

Hatton admits he has been revitalised under the guidance of his new trainer as he prepares for a fight with Manny Pacquiao, currently the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, in Vegas on May 2.

The 30-year-old feels he has three good fights left in him before the end of his career - Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and a rematch with Mayweather jr should he officially confirm his self-imposed exile is over.

Mayweather sr's relationship with his son has been a fractious one but the highly-respected trainer will have no loyalty issues if the fight should ever come off.

Asked if he would be in Hatton's corner for any potential rematch he said: "That's where I'll be, exactly where I'll be.

"Little Floyd is back in the gym but I'm not concerned about when he is fighting, I'm training Ricky Hatton now.

"Me and my son have had a fall-out and I'm going to let it be that way."

Mayweather sr believes Hatton is now better equipped to fight the man who was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world before his retirement.

"Ricky is a much better fighter than before, you can see a big difference in him," he added.

Mayweather sr has never been short of self-confidence but he believes the improvements in Hatton since he took over his training have been huge.

And he said their relationship, based on mutual respect in and out of the ring, had contributed to their progress.

"He is a real fast learner and is one of the best students I ever had. He had quality but no-one brought it out of him," he said.

"This is just our second camp working together and he does a tremendous job.

"It has been very nice working with Ricky. He's a genuine person and we are pretty close but we are totally different and opposites attract.

"We are like night and day but he understands and respects me and I understand and respect him.

"As long as we keep things like that we will have a real nice relationship."