Boxing: Rooney and Gerrard join ace Hatton's list of well-wishers.

WAYNE ROONEY has backed close friend Ricky Hatton to rise to the occasion and beat Floyd Mayweather in their WBC welterweight blockbuster tonight

With Hatton drawing unprecedented public support for his clash with pound-for-pound king Mayweather in Las Vegas tomorrow, Manchester United and England forward Rooney has joined Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in backing the Man City-supporting "Hitman".

Rooney said: "Ricky is a great champion and a top mate and I know he's really up for this fight.

"Obviously, I can't be in Vegas for the fight because I'm playing but I'll be watching every round and every punch on the TV and rooting for Ricky.

"It's going to be a fantastic fight because Ricky and Mayweather are both attacking fighters and all the Brits out there will give Ricky a huge lift.

"I'm proud to be a Ricky's mate and will be dead proud for him and for the whole country when he lifts that belt above his head."

Sven-Goran Eriksson does not expect any Manchester City players to watch the contest in the middle of the night.

Lifelong City fan Hatton, who wears light blue shorts in his fights in honour of his favourite club, is due to step into the ring at around 4am UK time, 11 hours before the Blues tackle Tottenham in the Premier League at White Hart Lane.

"I will tell my players to sleep," said Eriksson.

"Some members of the medical staff will watch it but not the players. They will not be up at four because they have an important game to play.

"Hopefully it will be on again at nine or 10 in the morning and they can watch it then."

Gerrard earlier told Hatton he has the backing of Liverpool - but the Reds star will also be unable to watch the showdown.

A big fight fan and a friend of Hatton, Gerrard will be expected to be in bed on Sunday morning when the fight will be televised.

Liverpool play Reading in a 5.15pm kick-off at the Madejski Stadium and their return flight will not get them back on Merseyside until around 11pm.

With another flight to Marseille early on Monday morning for their next Champions League game, boss Rafael Benitez wants his players well rested.

But Gerrard said: "Everyone at Liverpool is rooting for Hatton. We have a massive game on Tuesday so I won't be able to watch it live - I will be recording it though."