Viloria predicts hard fight for Manny

MANILA, Philippines - Newly crowned IBF lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria predicted the other day a difficult fight for Manny Pacquiao against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas on May 2 but picked the Filipino ring icon to win in the end because of his speed, power and overall skills.

“They’re both very aggressive fighters,” said Viloria who left Manila for Los Angeles last Saturday night. “This will go a long way and I’m thinking someone’s going to get knocked out in at least 10 rounds. Hatton is strong but I can’t see anything different from what he’ll show Manny who’s seen everything. Manny’s my guy. He wants to make a statement in this fight. He’s out to prove he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

Viloria said he has closely followed Pacquiao’s career since he halted Marco Antonio Barrera for the Ring Magazine world featherweight crown in 2003. “Manny has shown a lot of progress since beating Barrera,” continued Viloria. “I think he’s too fast for Hatton. He has too many skills. It’ll be a hard fight but Manny should win.”

Viloria will be in Las Vegas with manager Gary Gittelsohn and girlfriend Erika Navarro to cheer for Pacquiao at ringside. He’ll also watch stablemate Alfonso Gomez, who fought Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight title last year, in action at the Hard Rock Hotel the night before.

Viloria wrested the IBF 108-pound crown from Mexico’s Ulises (Archie) Solis via an 11th round knockout at the Araneta Coliseum last April 19. The three judges –Yongsak Nasongkha of Thailand, Muhammad Rois of Indonesia and John Wright of Australia – saw it 96-92, all for Viloria, when referee Bruce McTavish counted Solis out at 2:56 of the 11th. Even if McTavish hadn’t deducted two points from Solis for low blows, Viloria would’ve still been ahead.

Bloodied around both eyes, Solis took a solid right cross on the chin and dropped on all fours as Viloria ended the reign of a future Hall of Famer in his ninth title defense.

“There was no better champion to take the title from,” said Viloria. “Solis proved his greatness by agreeing to come over to the Philippines and defend his title against a Filipino. That says a lot about him. I went through 11 tough rounds and I was pretty banged up. After the fight, I rested my body and healed up. Then, Erika and I went to Ilocos Sur to visit her hometown Cabugao and mine, Narvacan, with relatives for four days. We did a lot of sightseeing and shopping.”

Viloria said Erika’s positive influence was a crucial factor in getting him over the hump. She is a full-blooded Filipina, born and raised in Hawaii, and had never been to the Philippines before.

“Erika’s a big part of my comeback,” he said. “She never takes any credit but let’s give credit where it’s due. My manager Gary and trainer Robert (Garcia) also gave me confidence. When my career hit rock bottom after I lost my title, Gary stuck it out with me. Then, we found Robert who brought me back on track as a fighter.”

Since Viloria hooked up with Garcia, he has won six in a row.

Viloria said he was never in trouble against Solis.

“Right from the first round, I knew I was stronger and faster,” said Viloria. “What bothered me was Solis’ jab. We knew he had a good jab and we worked on neutralizing it in the gym. I was ready to walk through his jab just to land my right. In the eighth round, he hit me with a left and it looked like I would go down. Actually, there was a slick portion on the canvas and I lost my balance. I told Robert in between rounds I wasn’t hurt and he told me he saw me skid.”

Viloria said now that he’s a world champion again, he’s become a bigger target.

“As soon as we land in Los Angeles, I want to start working out,” he said. “I miss camp. I don’t want to get stagnant and comfortable. I made 108 easily and that’s because I was strict in my diet and everyone helped me out, mentally and physically, to get ready. I want to stay active. Maybe, I’ll defend my title a couple of times then go for a unification.”

Viloria said Puerto Rico’s unbeaten Ivan Calderon has been mentioned as a future opponent. “Right now, whom I’m fighting next is a question mark,” he went on. “It’s all speculation. Gary and Bob (Arum) are talking about a lot of matchups. We’ll do what’s right for me. I don’t think there’s a rematch clause with Solis and besides, I want to move on and go after champions, not look back to someone you’ve beaten.”

Viloria said he’s watched the replay of his win over Solis repeatedly.

“It was such an intriguing fight because I was a former champion trying to come back and Solis was supposedly unbeatable,” he said. “I looked at myself on tape and I saw a lot of room for improvement, like my jab, head and lateral movement. That’s the scary part. I think I can still be a lot better. This win was very different from when I won my first title (over Eric Ortiz) in terms of physicality and maturity. I was up against a great champion in Solis and I knew it was make or break for me.”

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=461715&publicationSubCategoryId=69

Odds in favor of Pacman, but champ unfazed

HOLLYWOOD — Manny Pacquiao is probably the only favorite in the world who thinks like an underdog.

Betting lines from Sin City placed Pacquiao as the -270 favorite against Ricky Hatton, and yet boxing’s pound-for-pound fighter today, supposed to be the best and the strongest regardless of weight, thinks otherwise.

“Let’s not be over-confident. Let’s not think of this as an easy fight. Let’s think that we’re the underdog,” he said when reminded of the Sportsbook betting lines that placed Hatton as the +210 favorite as of midnight Saturday (Sunday afternoon in Manila).

This means that you need to place $270 on Pacquiao just to win a hundred bucks. A $100 bet on Hatton, on the other hand, and whether he wins by decision or knockout, gives you back $210.

“People put too much trust on me,” said Pacquiao as he wrapped up another three-hour workout at the enclosed Wild Card Gym, a workout that included five rounds of sparring and a great amount of time on the bags, with the ropes and on the mat.

Exactly a week before the fight, Pacquiao seemed clueless why the odds favoring him against the boxer whom he described the other day as “fast, strong and skillful” are that high.

“Pareho lang naman kami may tari (We both have the spurs),” said Pacquiao in between sets for his abdominal exercises that means more than 2,000 crunches a day – in the morning and the afternoon.

Pacquiao said he’s ready to take on the best body blows Hatton could offer.

“Yan ang favorite shot niya eh (That’s his favorite shot),” Pacquiao said as he felt his mid-section.

Pacquiao did three rounds with Uzbek Alisher Rahimov, a quarterfinalist in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and two rounds with David Rodela, who’s been in Pacquiao camps dating back to the Erik Morales fights.

Pacquiao was hot and cold against Rahimov, at times playing around, and put on a show against Rodela who just couldn’t keep up with the Filipino’s quickness with both his hands and feet.

“I always ended up looking where he’s at because he’s so fast. I got dizzy in there,” Rodela said.

Fans were strictly kept out of the gym, and were allowed in, in small groups, by assistant trainer Michael Moorer when Pacquiao was all done and over with. They were allowed to have pictures taken with the boxer, but none of the autograph signing.

Pacquiao went straight to his favorite Thai restaurant, treating friends to his daily splurge that costs him no less than $500 per visit. Then at home, more friends came in, no less than 50 of them cramming the living room, until they were told to leave at around 9 p.m.

Notes: Sunday afternoon is the official weigh-in for Manny Pacquiao’s “weight-reduction” challenge among members of this entourage, and to any friend of a friend here in Los Angeles. Pacquiao has offered $3,000, yes, $3,000 to anyone who could lose 10 percent of their body weight in three weeks. There were 84 entries, and as of Saturday it was down to 74, most of whom were safely in the limit and already assured of the huge prize. The biggest loser (in weight) gets the jackpot of $10,000. Granting that everybody makes it, Pacquiao will have to shell out at least $220,000 or P10.5 million — all for fun. Boxer Rodel Mayol, scheduled to face undefeated Puerto Rican Ivan Calderon on June 13 in New York, is currently way ahead, starting off at 130 pounds and down to 112. Former Manila scribe and now Pacquiao wingman Winchell Campos is down to 169 from 188 while Ben del Gado, at 72 the oldest among the members of Team Pacquiao here, is a pound short of earning $3,000 on the eve of the weigh-in. From 129, he was down to 118, and on Saturday evening spent a few minutes on the sauna.... A Pacquiao insider insisted Saturday that the boxer is down to 139 pounds or a pound under the limit with still a week left before the fight. Quite hard to believe, though, because boxers don’t normally do that, making weight and much more staying under with a week still up ahead.... The customized bus bearing the images of Pacquiao will take the boxers relatives and friends in town to Las Vegas on Mondays. It was parked out back of the Wild Card Gym Saturday. Pacquiao and his wife, Jinkee, should board their Navigator to Sin City, and the bus on the way back.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=461713&publicationSubCategoryId=69

Hatton Pacquiao sell out inevitable in fan fight of the year

No surprise that 'The Battle of East and West', the super-fight between Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao and Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas has officially sold out. No surprise either that 50,000 closed circuit tickets are being made available at the Mandalay Bay, Mirage, TI, Monte Carlo, Circus Circus, Luxor and New York-New York.

"Given that the live gate for this event is sold out, coupled with the sellout of tonight's San Francisco Giants baseball game where Manny is the guest of honor, indicates to me that 'The Battle of East and West' is on track to break all existing pay-per-view records," said Bob Arum, Chairman of Top Rank.

Tickets for the closed circuit telecast will be priced at $50, not including handling fees. All seats are general admission and are now on sale at each individual property's box office outlets. Ticket sales are limited to eight per person.

It is hard to imagine that numbers will reach the 30,000 Hatton fans who travelled out to see the light-welterweight fight Floyd Mayweather Jnr in December 2007. At present, estimates range between 10,000 and 15,000 fans travelling. Many will be watching back home on Sky Box Office. When Hatton fought Mayweather, it broke all records as having the most buys ever on pay per view in the UK, reaching the 1.2 million mark. It will be interesting to see whether promoter Bob Arum is correct in his prediction.

SOURCE: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/gareth_a._davies/blog/2009/04/22/hatton_pacquiao_sell_out_inevitable_in_fan_fight_of_the_year__

Pacquiao vs Hatton HBO 24/7 Episode 2

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WILL PACQUIAO-HATTON LIVE UP TO HAGLER-HEARNS

Both Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr. have promised knockouts inside of three rounds, but will the highly-anticipated clash between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton live up to the lofty expectations of their trainers? While the styles of each fighter certainly could lead to the type of action witnessed on April 15, 1985, is there really enough bad blood between Pacquiao and Hatton to wage the same type of three-round war?

"I don't like him, and he doesn't like me. That's not the usual prefight talk; that's just the way things are," Hearns would matter-of-factly state leading up to his title challenge. "He's chicken. He ducked me for three years until he thought I got old. Well, I'm not old, and he's in for a helluva beating," then champion Marvin Hagler would respond. Perhaps it was the mutual dislike of each other that ultimately lead to the brawler, Hagler, knocking out the boxer, Hearns, after three rounds of non-stop, toe-to-toe action.

But unlike that classic fight which took place 24 years ago, there is no animosity between the two fighters set to square off in May. Where Hagler and Hearns despised each other, Hatton and Pacquiao share a mutual respect for one another. In fact, the only bad blood that does exist is between the two trainers. So what will happen this time around when another brawler squares off against another boxer...when another orthodox fighter takes on another southpaw…when another Hitman (45-1, 32KOs) clashes with Pac Man (48-3-2, 36KOs) on May 2nd? Well, although the circumstances may be slightly different, if you listen to their trainers, the fight will play out something like this...

ROUND 1
Hatton comes out fast, leaping in with a left hook upstairs that's blocked by Pacquiao. The tanacious Hatton pushes Pacquiao back to the ropes. Head down, he bangs a 1-2 to the body. Pacquiao fires back a vicious four-punch combo that momentarily staggers Hatton. Another 1-2 lands for Pacquiao. Hatton holds on. The ref separates them. Nice left hand lands for Hatton, but Pacquiao fires back with a 1-2 upstairs. Hatton digs a right hand to the body and lands two hard left hooks upstairs. Pacquiao grins and bangs his gloves as if to say he was unfazed by the punches. Both men clinch. Pacquiao dances away on his toes and fires his jab. Hatton presses forward. Left hand lands for Pacquiao. Hatton misses with a left hook to the body. Pacquiao lands a 1-2. Hatton still stalking as Pacquiao circles the ring. They trade jabs. Left hook to the body lands for Hatton. Pacquiao lands a left. Another. Hatton looks unfazed and continues to press forward. Woooooo...quick four-punch combo lands for Pacquiao and Hatton is cut. There's a cut over the left eye of Hatton. Hatton bangs a left to the body and pushes Pacquiao back to the ropes. Blood is pouring all over the face of Hatton. Pacquiao in the corner and Hatton continues to work the body. Pacquiao fires back. Both men trading non-stop in the corner. Two vicious uppercuts land for Pacquio. Hatton answers with a 1-2 upstairs that snaps the head back of Pacquiao. Great round! Great round! I give it to Pacquiao.

Pacquiao 10 Hatton 9

ROUND 2
Hatton charges out and lands a left to the body. Pacquiao dances away and lands a quick 1-2. Hatton presses forward. Pacquiao lands a jab. Another. Straight left lead lands for Pacquiao. Hatton leaps in with a left hook to the body, but misses. Another 1-2 lands for Pacquiao. Hatton lands a right upstairs. Wooooo...another right from Hatton snaps the head back of Pacquiao again. Left to the body lands for Hatton. Pacquiao dances away. Quick three-punch combo lands for Pacquiao. Hatton lands a jab. Another. Pacquiao retreats to the ropes. Some roughhousing on the inside from Hatton. Hatton digs a 1-2 to the body against the ropes. Pacquiao lands a left hook upstairs. 1-2 lands for Pacquiao that opens the cut back up. More blood begins to flow down the face of Hatton. Hatton answers with a 1-2 of his own upstairs. Pacquiao holds on. Hatton lands a nice right upstairs. Some more roughhousing on the inside from Hatton. Pacquiao covers up. Hatton digs another 1-2 to the body. Pacquiao lands a three-punch combo, but eats a HARD right hand from Hatton that snaps his head back. Both men trade jabs. Pacquiao lands a lead straight left. Nice left and a right lands for Hatton against the ropes. Hatton mauls Pacquiao against the ropes as he mugs him with elbows. 1-2 to the body lands for Hatton. Pacquiao works his way out with a three-punch combo. Another good round. A close one, but I give it to Hatton.

Pacquiao 19 Hatton 19

ROUND 3
"Manny, keep the jab in his face. Keep moving and don't let him touch your body son," Freddie Roach could be heard telling Pacquiao in the corner. Pacquiao comes out dancing on his toes and lands a quick 1-2. Jab lands for Pacquiao. Hatton bulls forward and tries to maul him again with some elbows. Referee Kenny Bayless warns Hatton about the dirty tactics. Pacquiao circles around the ring and lands a lead straight left. Hatton jumps in with a left hook to the body, but misses as Pacquiao dances away. Hatton presses forward and backs Pacquiao up to the corner. Some more roughhousing by Pacquiao as he lands a 1-2 to the body. Pacquiao works his way out with a quick combo. Now there's a break in the action as Bayless wants the doctor to take a look at the cut. Thankfully, the action resumes. Hatton leaps in wildly and lands a left hook to the body. Pacquiao grins and bangs his gloves together again. Hatton bulls forward and lands a 1-2. Pacquiao fires back and lands a four-punch combo of his own. Lead straight left lands for Pacquiao. Hatton just eats it. Another lead straight left lands for Pacquiao. Hatton eats it again and presses forward. WOOOOOOOOOO...right hand, left hook and a BIG right uppercut lands for Pacquiao and Hatton is down. He's down! Hatton is flat on his back! Bayless picks up the count at 4, 5, 6....Hatton rolls over and tries to get up....8, 9....Hatton barely beats the count to make it to his feet, but he looks done. His legs are done! Bayless looks him over...THAT'S IT....IT'S OVER! Kenny Bayless calls a halt to the action. Pacquiao raises his hands to the crowd before kneeling in the corner to say a prayer. The crowd is going crazy!

Pacquiao TKO3

Okay...so maybe it's just wishful thinking...maybe we're asking too much of Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. Expecting them to put on a performance on par with the three-round war that Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns participated in might be a little unrealistic. But wouldn't that be great? With the recent retirement of Oscar De La Hoya, wouldn't it be nice to know that the sport of boxing far transcends any one big name? That it's the fight itself, not the name of the fighter, that compels fans to watch a clash of styles guaranteed to produce fireworks. On May 2nd, let's hope that both fighters put on a performance that lives up to the predictions of their trainers.

SOURCE: http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content4643.html

Manny Pacquiao taking Ricky Hatton threat seriously

Manny Pacquiao, currently the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, is refusing to take his forthcoming bout with Ricky Hatton lightly, admitting the British boxer could represent one of his toughest opponents.

Currently training in Los Angeles before the fight in Las Vegas on 2 May, Pacquiao said the outcome was not in his hands. "I don't know – God will know," he admitted. "Of course I'm hungry for this fight, to win, because [it's my] first time to fight an English fighter. Right now we're in heavy training and I'm in 100% good condition.He's a strong fighter and he's a good fighter too and he's a champion, so I don't want to underestimate him."

Pacquiao has spent time identifying Hatton's weaknesses, and believes the 30-year-old Mancunian has chinks in his armour – including his "body punch". "He doesn't like to hit the body," said Pacquiao, "I won't tell you the other things!"

Another boxer whose weaknesses Pacquiao exploited was the recently retired Oscar De La Hoya, who the Filipono admitted is still his idol. The former Olympic gold medallist revealed his decision to quit on Tuesday with a 39-6 (30 KOs) professional record, four months after being outclassed by Pacquiao in Las Vegas. "Whatever happens people won't forget him as a good fighter, as the best fighter in the world. For me he's still my idol," said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, meanwhile, echoed his sentiments about Hatton, believing the Briton to be a serious contender. However he does not think he is fast enough to upset his charge. "Manny has speed, power, boxing ability – so I think he will overwhelm Ricky in this fight," he said. "Ricky's a tough guy, no doubt about that. He's very resilient; he's tough. He comes to fight."

He also spoke critically of Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Snr. "He says he's the greatest trainer in the world but I think he's the only one saying that, and he's going to try and change Ricky Hatton," said Roach. "I think that's a mistake, in changing people, this late in their career. I don't think it's possible."

Asked if Amir Khan, who he also trains, would be sparring against Pacquiao, Roach said: "Style-wise he just wasn't the right guy." The former Olympic silver medallist Khan is set to take on the WBA light-welterweight champion Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik in June. "The day after Manny's fight though I'll start getting him ready for his fight," Roach added. "I think he has a huge chance; I think he'll be a real champion and hopefully my next superstar."

SOURCE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/apr/16/ricky-hatton-manny-pacquiao-boxing

PACQUIAO VS HATTON -- A MUST SEE RUCTION

Los Angeles, CA.-- This will be a showcase of heavy punching when Manny Pacquiao clashes with Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Always looking for ways to beat riotous challengers, Pacquiao is ready to hurt Hatton in their May 2 encounter. 

This, to complete a triumphant tour of the eight-weight divisions he has figured in. 

“Balderdash” cried Hatton on claims the British hitman does not have what it takes to counter what the GenSan stinger is bringing to the MGM bop. 

“I’m the unbeaten boss of junior welterweights and I plan to finish him off,“ the IBO defending champion underscored after a heated session in a Vegas gym, 

Ricky says Manny gets rattled when pressured, citing Erik Morales’ win in their first match and Juan Manuel Marquez’ controversial loss in a rematch. 

The 31 year old Briton insists he is much stronger and a better fighter -- hence an early exit of the Filipino idol is possible. 

But Manny has iced more fighters than what Ricky has chilled--(39 limp bodies for the Pacman as opposed to 36 stiffs for the Hitman) 

And more experts are lining up in his corner. 

Al Bernstein for one is looking at Manny to stop Ricky. 

“Hatton will be competitive with Pacquiao because he is a natural 140 pounder who is better than what he is given credit for. However, Manny’s hand and foot speed plus combination punching will be too much for Ricky. I could easily see Hatton cuts being a major factor as well,” the reliable Bernstein emphasized. 

Echoes Lance Pugmire of the L.A. Times: “A 10th round stoppage of Hatton due to Pacquiao’s combination of speed and power.” 

Hizzoner Al Fernandez of Dagupan City says it would be unlikely Manny will blow this one out calling a late round KO of Ricky as well. 

The Philippines’ pride does have the capacity to arouse enthusiasm even from non-believers each time he suits up for a fight. 

I was a witness at Pacquiao’s Hollywood camp when he mangled his sparring partners forcing his handlers to scramble for a sturdier group that could withstand Manny’s power. 

Relaxing at a Thai eatery called Nats on Vine street in Holywood, the Pinoy ace confided he is almost at peak form. 

And once there, Hatton will know the kind of mess he’ll find himself in. 

For sure, fans will be treated to a rousing brawl in this pairing of a British whopper against a Filipino whacker. 

Hatton will get in his licks alright but Pacquiao will be landing his bombs where it counts. 

This is one compelling fight left in Manny’s calendar before he chases other pursuits. 

So far, I see nothing showing up to derail the “Pacman Express” -- on track for merry Las Vegas where the game Mancunian awaits. 

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-23469.html

Pacquiao down to last few days of sparring

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao sparred for 10 rounds against three separate boxers Tuesday at the Wild Card Gym as he neared the last few days of sparring for his May 2 battle with Ricky Hatton.

David Rodela, Raymund Serrano and Urbano Antillon alternated on Pacquiao who has gone over a hundred rounds now, with five more days of sparring before heading to Vegas.

Pacquiao and his huge entourage leave for Sin City on April 27 or five days before the fight. Once he gets there, it’ll be a matter of staying in shape, light drills and watching his weight.

Pacquiao will be back sparring on Thursday (Friday in Manila). The following day, his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, will leave for Puerto Rico to be in the corner of Gerry Peñalosa.

The 36-year-old Peñalosa, probably the oldest Pinoy boxing champion ever, will climb a notch higher to challenge the undefeated Juan Manuel Lopez for the WBO super-bantamweight crown.

The fight is set April 25 at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Puerto Rico, and the day after the fight Roach should again board the plane to re-join Pacquiao for his last week of sparring.

Pacquiao may do 12 rounds on Thursday, and then should start tapering off by going down to 10, eight, six and four rounds until they call it off. He normally logs around 150 of sparring in training.

It will be the second time Roach will leave the training camp for the Hatton fight. Last March, he was away for a week to attend to Amir Khan who fought and crushed Marco Antonio Barrera in England.

In Roach’s absence, Buboy Fernandez puts on the mitts, while ex-heavyweight champion Michael Moorer and fellow trainers Alex Ariza, Eric Brown and Nonoy Neri lend a hand.

Hatton has been in Vegas for more than two weeks now, training under Floyd Mayweather Sr. at the IBA Gym, the same gym being used by Pacquiao when he’s in town.

Hatton was a couple of weeks ahead in training but brushed off insinuations that he may be overdoing things heading to his defense of his 140 lb title against the reigning pound for pound champ.

SOURCE: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=458110&publicationSubCategoryId=69

END OF A GOLDEN ERA, DID PACQUIAO RETIRE DE LA HOYA?

De La Hoya last fought on December 6, 2008 when he absorbed a lopsided eight-round beating from Manny Pacquiao before ultimately quitting on his stool. Although it wasn't the first time De La Hoya lost to an elite fighter, it was certainly the worst fight of the Golden Boy's storied career. Unable to pull the trigger, Oscar was battered from pillar to post by the Filipino superstar. At times, De La Hoya simply covered up in the corner as he absorbed a barrage of punches. It was a sad sight for many to see; a fighter who so many times before thrilled the crowd with flurries, exchanges and dramatic moments was reduced to a weak and defenseless shell of his former self. "I just don't have it anymore," De La Hoya would admit to Roach in the ring immediately after the loss.

Later today, ten-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya will hold a press conference at the Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, across from STAPLES Center, to announce his future in the ring. As usual, the media has been invited, but the event is also open to the public. Furthermore, an international conference call has been arranged to take place a few hours after the press conference to further discuss the announcement regarding his career. It's hard to imagine that De La Hoya would go through this much trouble to simply announce a future opponent. One has to believe that the retirement of the Golden Boy is just hours away and unlike Floyd Mayweather Jr., who announced his own "retirement" via a press release, it appears that De La Hoya will truly walk away from the sport of boxing.

In a way, De La Hoya's decision to retire is perhaps the right thing to do. It can be difficult for most fighters to admit that they no longer have what it takes to compete at the elite level anymore. De La Hoya, who certainly has no financial need to fight, really has nothing left to prove after winning ten world championships in six different weight classes. His place in the boxing Hall of Fame is secured and, although he lost his last fight, he certainly didn't take the easy route by facing the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world (for the second time in two years). It's much better for De La Hoya to finish his career now than to fight on and potentially lose to a fighter that's nowhere near the level of a fighter he once was. Muhammad Ali's final fight was a loss to Trevor Berbick. Pernell Whitaker's final fight was a loss to Carlos Bojorquez. Mike Tyson's last fight was a loss to Kevin McBride. If this is De La Hoya's retirement party, it's much better to be remembered for losing your last fight to Manny Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world at the time.

The clock is ticking and we'll find out shortly...

WHAT: 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist and future boxing hall of famer, "Golden Boy" Oscar de la Hoya will hold a press conference to announce his future in the ring.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 14 at Noon (Press Conference Begins)

WHERE: Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE - Across from STAPLES Center, 77 Chick Hearn Court Los Angeles, CA 90015

Source: http://fighthype.com/pages/content4730.html

Pacquiao: KO not my game plan

MANILA, Philippines - Don't expect Manny Pacquiao to win by knockout over Ricky Hatton in their May 2 showdown in Las Vegas for the Briton’s WBO light welterweight title.

No, the pound-for-pound king has not lost his killer instinct. He just wants to concentrate on the fight and exploit Hatton’s weaknesses, which the Filipino said are aplenty.

“I expect him to be coming forward and fight toe-to-toe, and I like that,” Pacquiao told www.mirror.co.uk. “I’m not looking for a knockout.”

“I don’t want any distractions in my mind,” the Filipino superstar added.

Pacquiao expects Hatton to “walk into his shots because of his aggressive, come-forward style.

“We see a lot of weakness in Hatton,” Pacquiao claimed.

Hatton, in a conference call with reporters as reported by www.fighthype.com, points to two key factors for the fight: Technical skills and the fighter who goes backwards.

“Both of us don’t go backwards and that is the key to the fight,” Hatton said. “Whoever ends up going backwards is going to lose.”

He does fight toe-to-toe, Hatton said, but he also punches hard and has more technical know-how than the four-division champion.

“I’m showing technical ability that he didn’t think I had at first,” Hatton claimed. “That’s going to shock Manny more than the size and power aspect.”

Hatton credits Floyd Mayweather Sr., who replaced his long-time trainer Billy Graham, for his new strength.

“Floyd has given me a new lease on life,” said Hatton, adding that his win over Paulie Malignaggi last November showed his vast improvement under his new trainer.

“I proved in my last fight that I have a much better jab, a stronger punch and speed, too.”

SOURCE: http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20090412-198969/Pacquiao-KO-not-my-game-plan

Roach, Pacquiao aimed squarely at Hatton

As it turned out, it was Freddie Roach who really pulled the trigger.

By boldly proclaiming that former charge Oscar De La Hoya was no longer capable of effectively unloading his arsenal in the ring, the ex-ESPN staple set in motion what became the most-discussed pay-per-view boxing event of 2008.

So now, some four months after Manny Pacquiao proved him prescient by battering the "Golden Boy" into submission at the MGM Grand, it should surprise no one that the straight-shooting Roach is already locked and loaded on Pacquiao's next foe -- Ricky Hatton.

In fact, to the Massachusetts-born journeyman turned honor-laden trainer, this one's easier.

"I've studied Hatton for two months now and I'm very confident about Manny's chances," Roach said, in a FitzHitz phone interview. "Hatton is a guy who'll be right in front of you, and he gets hit a lot. A lot of guys have hurt him, but no one's ever finished him when they had him hurt.

"Manny Pacquiao is a finisher. I think he's going to bust him up and stop him within three rounds. It'll be another Thomas Hearns-Marvin Hagler fight, I believe. Very exciting for as long as it lasts."

Needless to say, success hasn't tempered Roach's bravado.

And because it's delivered in an even-toned, straight-forward manner reminiscent of Roach's own former in-ring style, it's easy to take the chatter more seriously than other modern-day braggarts.

His results are hard to deny, too, especially in light of a nine-month stretch that also saw Pacquiao nip Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC's title at 130 pounds in March and dominate David Diaz for the same group's belt at 135 in June, before the holiday season bonanza with De La Hoya.

The three-fight skein earned Roach a third time nod as "Trainer of the Year" from the Boxing Writers Association of America, while Pacquiao claimed "Fighter of the Year" honors for the second time.

The pair previously earned dual awards from the BWAA in 2006, after Pacquiao defeated Erik Morales, Oscar Larios and Morales again, all at 130 pounds.

But Roach, who won BWAA recognition sans Manny in 2003, said the way last year unfolded was more of a surprise than previous times.

"I can't honestly say we saw it coming," he said. "After the first two, the Oscar fight just came up and it was icing on the cake. We're of the mindset where we just take each fight as it comes. But sure, looking back on it, it was a great year.

"And it's a great honor to be recognized three times by the boxing writers."

And through it all, he's managed to avoid the lure of forcing his own aggressive, take-a-punch-to-land-a-punch style onto his own clients, who've included Virgil Hill, Mike Tyson and De La Hoya, in addition to Pacquiao and rising U.K. lightweight phenom Amir Khan.

Hill, a member of the medal-flushed Olympic class of 1984, won his first world title in 1987 and was a two-time champion at both light heavyweight and cruiserweight before retiring in 2007 at age 43.

Khan, just 22, scored his biggest career win last month in Manchester -- Hatton's hometown -- with a bloody and controversial five-round technical decision over Marco Antonio Barrera.

"I had the right teacher in Eddie Futch," Roach said. "He told me that I could never expect people to be like me. My first world champion, Virgil Hill, was about as different from me as a guy could be.

"He was a beautiful boxer. The truth is that when a guy gets hit in the ring hes going to revert back to whatever he is, not to what you've programmed him to be. So it's best you don't try to get too cute."

And unlike the mercurial Tyson, a well-known student of the sport's history, it seems Pacquiao and some of Roach's other existing clients -- he currently trains 14 professional fighters -- don't even know their trainer was himself an established pro and early '80s cable television favorite.

In fact, he debuted in 1978 and was 26-1 after a 10-round decision over Juan Veloz at Showboat Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in April 1982, but later stumbled to 12 losses in his last 25 fights -- including scorecard verdicts to Bobby Chacon, Hector Camacho and Darryl Tyson and a TKO by Greg Haugen.

Overall, he lost four of his final five fights before retiring in October 1986 with a 39-13 mark.

Khan was born six weeks later.

Still, to those actually aware of his past, Roach sees it as an edge. Just not a gigantic one.

"I think there's a little bit of an advantage, but probably not huge," he said. "I've known plenty of guys who weren't fighters but they were great trainers. The guys I work with know that I've done it and they trust what I say. But not everyone I've worked with has seen me fight.

"Manny's one of those guys who's not really a boxing fan. His idol growing up was Oscar, so that's why he did it, but he doesn't know the history. We older guys have more stories to tell, but I'm so busy now that I can't even watch fights anymore."

Assuming all goes as planned with Hatton on May 2, life doesn't figure to get any less hectic.

Marquez, who's now planning to campaign at 140 pounds, is on the record saying he'd like a third match with Pacquiao. Also, former five-division champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. -- on the shelf since handing Hatton his lone career defeat in December 2007 -- has been rumbling about a comeback.

Not surprisingly, Roach relishes the opportunities.

"Business-wise, the biggest fights to be made are with Mayweather, if he's really coming back to the ring, or with Marquez," he said. "There are a lot of options and we want to wait to see the possibilities.

"As far as who else, we hear that Chavez Jr. has been making some noise about a fight, but the weight might be too big a difference. Bottom line, though, Manny will fight anyone. Hell, he'd fight (publicist) Fred Sternburg if that's who we told him was next in line. He just wants to be a champion."

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/boxing/v-fullstory/story/992993.html

Pacquiao-Hatton Bout – a prequel to the Fight of the Year

The boxing world is currently going crazy over the up-coming “Battle of the East and the West”, a much anticipated exchange of knuckle sandwiches between the world’s current no.1 pound-for-pound boxer Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and the British pride Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton this coming May 2 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Surely, the first half of 2009 will be a sporting moment to remember. The world needs a breather from the bleak global economy and the fear over North Korea’s rocket launch.

The up-coming battle can be tagged as the fight of the year for 2009 or the greatest knockdown/upset of the year. But an epic battle should not only end there. It should make way to a second fight of the year. Boxing currently lack a good fight, which the top warriors Pacquiao and Hatton are capable of drawing the crowds. With Floyd Mayweather Jr. opting to come out of retirement, a second fight of the year is guaranteed to realize.

Organizers are aiming to promote the fight among the younger audiences. This will surely catapult income for the pay-per-view business and increase the profile of the two boxers. These younger audiences will one day proclaim both Pacquiao and Hatton to the boxing hall of fame.

A second fight of the year should be able to answer the question, “What’s next” after the Pacquiao-Hatton bout. It should live up to the post-fight atmosphere. Possibilities are open depending on the outcome of the match: Will Pacquiao take on Mayweather after his fight with Hatton? Would there be a rematch? Who will be tagged as the next foes for them? Who knows, Pacquiao will change his mind about hanging his gloves. There must be a follow-up fight after the May 2 battle. This will be adjudged as the rightful fight of the year for 2009.

The up-coming fight should not be followed by a disappointment. With both fighters reaching their prime, one of them should stay alive to stand against the undefeated Mayweather for the 2009 fight of the year. Can Pacquiao stain Mayweather’s clean record? Or will Hatton avenge against the guy who had gave him his first loss? Mayweather could be sweating like hell by now.

East Coach vs. West Coach

IT LOOKS like Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather are both upping the ante and hyping to fever pitch the Pacquiao-Hatton duel by making bolder predictions as the fight gets closer.

As of last count, both the venerated Roach and the revered Floyd Sr., predicted kayo victories for their pupils in the third.
So who is the better trainer? Well, it’s too early to tell guys, since the body of work for these guys is yet unfinished; although based on accomplishments, Roach has the edge.

But let me pose this query: Who was the better fighter?

TWILIGHT ZONE. Step right up ladies and gentlemen. It’s the twilight zone, Last Round style.

Freddie “The Choir Boy” Roach, 39 wins, 13 losses, 15 KOs vs. Floyd Mayweather 29 wins, 6 losses, 19 KOs.

The year is 1985, just before Floyd becomes incarcerated in jail. Just like his prized ward, lightweight Roach is moving up to fight welter Floyd at a catch-weight of 142 lbs.

At the initial salvo, Freddie comes forward firing off a lead right hand while trying to push Mayweather back into the ropes. The latter rewards Roach’s efforts by feeding him some jabs.

The supremely conditioned Roach shrugs them off and lands a body shot that catches the backtracking Floyd by surprise. Roach attempts to trap Floyd in the corner but the latter engages him in a clinch.

The fight follows a similar pattern in the next few rounds with Floyd attempting to control the fight with his jab and following through with some nifty combinations. But Roach keeps things competitive by landing some hard shots of his own .

Although Floyd is the naturally bigger man in this fight, Roach appears to land the harder blows. In the fifth, Mayweather’s chin-tucked-behind-the-shoulder defense nets him some positive results as Roach seems to be tiring by missing a lot of his shots.

Roach gets frustrated and goes low for an instant. The replays show the punch to be on the borderline, but Floyd howls in pain like he’s been shot in the nuts. He makes full use of the five-minute break but never misses the opportunity to taunt and hurl some nasty remarks at Roach while prancing back and forth around the ring.

The crowd boos but the fight becomes interesting.

Action resumes with Floyd doing more clinching than fighting. Roach begins to find his rhythm but Floyd continues to score with the jab. A cut opens up on Roach’s left eyebrow in the eighth and from hereon things go downhill for him.

The wily Floyd turns southpaw to keep his right hand closer to the bloody target. Roach is undeterred but it becomes clear that he’s fading fast. He calls on every available ounce of strength to put together one final run in the last round.

He rains blows on Floyd’s shoulders, arm, torso, elbow, whatever…Floyd tries to move around the ring but for an instant, he gets careless. Roach lands a monster right hand a few seconds before the bell, which knocks Floyd down. But he rises at the bell and scorecards reveal a close, but unanimous decision win for the original Floyd.

SCARY. I don’t know about you, but Edwin Valero is looking pretty scary to me. Last Sunday he knocked out hard
punching Antonio Pituala (46- 4, 40 KOs) in two rounds. To date, if you didn’t know, he has knocked out every opponent he has ever faced with only six lasting after the first round.

When he visited Cebu a few months ago, he looked much bigger than ex-WBC lightweight champ David Diaz. But what caught my attention was that look in his eyes.

You know, that same look that Manny used to have when he was still a fighter hungry for recognition—not yearning for retirement.

That look in his eyes when he was a fighter, and nothing more; unlike now, where he also moonlights as a businessman looking forward to a political career.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/quijano-joy-vs-choir-boy

Roach open to Pacquiao vs. Marquez III

A TRILOGY with Juan Manuel Marquez?

As early as now, pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s camp has lined up a roster of opponents for his next fight, after his International Boxing Organization light welterweight bout with British superstar Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

On top of Pacquiao’s list of prospects is former pound-for-pound No.1 Floyd Mayweather Jr., who has plans of coming out of retirement.
However, if Pacquiao fails to lure Mayweather Jr. into a mega fight after his bout with Hatton, then a third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, who has never accepted he lost in their rematch, could be in the works.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach thinks a fight with Marquez could be the next best option for them.

“If the negotiation with Floyd doesn’t work out I’m sure it’s Marquez. Where else do we have to go?” Roach said in a report posted at FightHype.com.

Roach said Pacquiao only has three possible foes left after Hatton.

“Floyd, Shane Mosley possibly, the weight’s a little bit of an issue there, and then Marquez. I don’t think we have a lot of options because nobody wants to see Manny fight a small fight,” Roach said.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/roach-open-pacquiao-vs-marquez-iii

LEADING UP TO THE MAY 2ND SHOWDOWN, CATCH 24/7, DEBUTING APRIL 11TH

Episodes two and three of PACQUIAO/HATTON 24/7 debut on subsequent Saturdays - APRIL 18 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) and 25 (9:35-10:00 p.m.) - while the finale debuts FRIDAY, MAY 1 (9:30-10:00 p.m.), the night before the fight.


All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

Don't miss the exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as these determined warriors, both making their second "24/7" appearance, prepare for the first mega-fight of 2009. A hero in his native Philippines, the 30-year-old Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) is regarded by most boxing observers as the sport's unofficial pound-for-pound king. Demonstrating knockout power in five weight classes, his recent victory over his boxing idol, ring legend Oscar de la Hoya, was cause for national celebration in his homeland. Amid growing worldwide celebrity, he returns to the 140-pound division to take on the hard-hitting Hatton.

Hailing from the streets of Manchester, England, Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) has a tenacious fighting style and a devout following. The 30-year-old suffered his only professional loss in December 2007 when he battled future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. as a welterweight. Now back in the junior welterweight ranks, he wants to prove himself the most formidable fighter in the division.

Storylines for this fast-paced series will include the interaction between Pacquiao and his trusted trainer and friend Freddie Roach, as well as the fascinating alliance of Hatton and outspoken trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.

Source: http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2009/0502_pacquiao_hatton/index.html

The People’s Champ may not be a world champ

Our country is always crazy about Manny Pacquiao, one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world today. Anyway, who doesn’t know him? Dubbed as a “People’s Champ” by President Arroyo, he holds the Filipinos’ honor every time he climbs the ring. His punches depict every hard struggle the Filipino has gone through in life. To us Filipinos, he is the true symbol of a nation that vows “to be great again”. It is no ordinary moment to be bestowed with titles like, “Champion for Life”, “People’s Champ”, or “No.1 Boxer”. But the question is, is the “People’s Champ” a world champion?

Fights with the great title-holders

Manny Pacquiao, a great knockout artist, has dethroned many title holders from their thrones. He has usurped them of their hard-earned titles at the most surprising and unexpected moments. As late replacement, he knocked out the South African champ Lehlohonolo Ledwaba at their 2001 bout and stripped him of his IBF world super bantamweight title. It was his big break, and bigger breaks followed.
Winning and defending boxing titles numerous times, Pacquiao rapidly gained the attention of the world boxing community. He had faced (and defeated) the likes of Erik Morales, Antonio Barera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Hector Velasquez. His victories against Mexicans earned him the moniker, “the Mexicutioner”. He even shamed Hispanic-Americans David Diaz and boxing icon Oscar Dela Hoya right on their own turf.
Despite these achievements, they are not enough to regard Manny as a world champion.

No fights with Europeans

The People’s Champ has accomplished 53 fights under his belt. Of the 53 fights, he fought against his own countrymen 20 times; Mexicans, 12 times; Thais, seven times; thrice with South Koreans; twice with Americans, Australians, and Japanese; and once with Indonesian, South African, Dominican, Colombian, and Kazakh boxers. From that, it can be seen that he has never fought with any European boxers.
The absence of Europeans in his fighting career proves Pacquiao is no world champion yet. If he considers fighting them, he could face some unknown Europeans in his division, most especially against Eastern Europeans like Russians and Ukrainians. If given the choice, Pacquiao can move up to another division. There, he will come face-to-face with the Klitschko Brothers (Russia) and Kevin McBride (Ireland), among others. If he decides to remain in his weight division, he may stand in a tip-off with Yuri Romanov of Russia. If he wants to go down, he could clash with other notable fighters like Britons Nicky Cook and Kevin Mitchell or American Kelly Pavlik. If he can climb to middleweight, a match with Italian-Scottish Joe Calzeghe might be a possibility, if he could be enticed out of retirement.
At this moment, Pacquiao is scheduled to engage welterweight champion Ricky “the Hitman” Hatton of England this coming May. The latter will be the only European in his list of boxing opponents. He will sure use his knock-out artistry to the fullest against an opponent who loves to “hit” a lot.

No fights with Afro-Americans too

Not only has Manny Pacquiao failed to fight with European boxers, but he is also missing any Afro-Americans from his list of battles. A fight with any African-American can be noteworthy on his record and raise his global stature. Try pitting an African- American hardened by the street life of New York City against a man humbled by the poverty in the Philippine provinces. It would be a blood fest, reminiscence of the jungle of the “Thrillia in Manila” between legends Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

Being one of the greatest, Pacquiao can face Floyd Mayweather Jr., the undefeated world champion. Mayweather coming out of retirement is obvious: an undefeated career is not complete without a fight against the world’s current No.1 pound-for-pound pugilist. A brawl between the two hungry fighters can become one of the greatest fights in sports history. There is a great possibility that such match will happen.
Boxing organizers are picking WBC Junior Middleweight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to take on Pacquiao after his fight with Hatton if Mayweather will back out. Another Mexican? Not again.
Pacquiao had passed the opportunity to combat other great Afro-American boxers like Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, and Hasim Rahman. Why he would not take on them? They get to fight with Mexicans too. Why not him? Also, he failed to set his sights on boxers with African descent, like Puerto Ricans and Cubans.

Conclusion

Pacquiao is no world champion yet. The media can hype him as No.1, but this is utterly useless. His lack of fighting experiences against punchers coming from races that helped define the sport is like NBA superstar Kobe Bryant scoring 50 points or more against a team whose members don’t score much. Pacquiao’s career isn’t complete without fighting European or Afro-American boxers. For his last two fights before retirement, he must make sure to fight any of them. Pacquiao can never be considered a well-round champion if he fails to fight boxers who share the same caliber and reputation with him.

by: catstvb2nu

Roach says Hatton out in nine minutes

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach is giving Manny Pacquiao nine minutes to put Ricky Hatton away on May 2 in Las Vegas.

“I told Manny I would be very disappointed in him if he didn’t have Hatton stopped by the third round,” Roach said in a message relayed to The STAR by Top Rank publicist Fred Sternburg yesterday.

A month ago, Roach said he’d be happy if Pacquiao knocks Hatton out within nine rounds, or almost the same distance Oscar dela Hoya managed against the Pinoy pound-for-pound champion.

But over the past few days, Roach had been singing new song – that Pacquiao will get it done and over with inside three rounds.

Boxing’s most sought-after trainer today must have seen something most people don’t in Hatton, leading to his bold, daring prediction.

“Hatton is not fundamentally sound as a fighter – he keeps his chin up. He is the perfect opponent for Manny,” he said.

“You’re going to hear a lot of glass breaking when Manny starts playing his chin music concerto on Hatton. You’re going to see who has the chops to play this masterpiece on May 2.”

Roach said Pacquiao will go for Hatton’s chin, saying “it’s the money shot.”

Roach also looked forward, saying Pacquiao may end up fighting Juan Manuel Marquez a third time, if negotiations for a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. doesn’t move.

“If negotiations with Floyd don’t work out, I’m sure it’s Marquez. Where else do we have to go? I think there’s only two guys out there or maybe three – Floyd, Shane Mosley, but the weight is a little bit an issue there, and then Marquez. I don’t think we have a lot of options because nobody wants to see Manny fight a small fight,” he said.

The American trainer, locked in a raging word war with Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., said Hatton’s unbeaten record at 140 lbs will be broken when the fight takes place at the MGM Grand.

Hatton’s only loss in 47 fights was at 147 lbs when he fought Floyd Jr. in 2007.

“A lot of people ask me if I’m worried about Manny fighting Hatton since Hatton has never lost a fight at 140 pounds. As long as Floyd Mayweather is in Hatton’s corner I have absolutely no concerns. It’s not like his brother Roger is training him. Floyd training Hatton for this fight is our biggest advantage.”

Mayweather Sr. countered by saying it’s Hatton who will win by knockout – also in three rounds.

Pacquiao is deep in training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, and he might just run out of sparring mates the way he’s sending them home.

On his first day of sparring last March 17, he knocked out Armenian Art Hovhannesyan, and left the undefeated fighter bleeding from a one-inch cut over his left eye despite the headgear.

Last Tuesday, Pacquiao hurt another fighter, Irishman Gary Young who went home with a busted nose.

“He did indeed send sparring partner Gary Young home. I was at their sparring session on Tuesday when Manny literally had Young out on his feet and bleeding from the nose,” said Sternburg in an e-mail.

The Top Rank publicist said there’s a new one coming in – junior welterweight Mike Alvarado (25-0, 18 KOs), from Denver, Colorado, when Pacquiao resumes sparring Saturday (today in Manila).

SOURCE: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20090405/tsp-roach-hatton-pacquiao-d685dba.html

Hatton Vs. Pacman May 2 Fight Updates

Fight will be short and sweet

MANILA, Philippines - Those hoping for a long, bitter struggle between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton on May 2 won’t get it.

“It’s going to be short and sweet,” said Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, during Monday’s red-carpet meeting between the two great boxers and their trash-talking handlers in Hollywood.

Roach said it could or should be over in three rounds.

“I think it’s going to be the best three rounds you’ve ever seen. Ricky is going to force the action and Manny is going to respond to it. But Manny is going to get him early and I believe he will knock him out in the early rounds.”

Even Mark Wahlberg, the rapper, actor, endorser and producer rolled into one said during the press conference he doesn’t expect the fight to last the distance.

The 38-year-old celebrity, who ran a series of underwear ads for Calvin Klein before he became a movie star, is Roach’s friend, and is obviously rooting for Pacquiao.

“Freddie is the best,” said Wahlberg who visited Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym as the latter trained for his Oscar dela Hoya fight last December.

“We know what he did to Dela Hoya and he’s going to do the same to Hatton. Obviously, the winner will fight Floyd Mayweather (Jr.),” he said in a video clip posted on the net by Lance Pugmire of the LA Times.

The world is waiting for that Pacquiao-Mayweather fight although Bob Arum, the promoter of the Pinoy icon, and Roach are not too keen on fighting the ex-pound-for-pound champion.

But Pacquiao could be open to anything.

“For me – if I’m Floyd – I would fight a tune-up fight and then fight me,” Pacquiao told FanHouse.com. “That’s for me, but I don’t know what his plan is. He might want to fight me right away.”

“I think he’s going to fight again. He’s not really retired,” added Pacquiao of the American who retired last year undefeated in 39 fights.

During the same press conference, Roach traded jabs with Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr.

“Pacquaio’s going to go from first class to coach, because of the Roach,” said Mayweather Sr., so flamboyant he can move around in a pink suit.

Then, according to reports, chants of “Man-ny! Man-ny!” filled the room, and Pacquiao, as if on cue, took the microphone by saying “I fight for freedom. I fight for Scotland” the way it was delivered by actor Mel Gibson in his epic film “Braveheart.”

“They’ve got Roach in the Hall of Fame (when) he should be in the Hall of Shame,” added Mayweather Sr.

Roach didn’t take it sitting down.

“Floyd can read some good poems that’s all he’s good at that I know of. What has Floyd Senior achieved? His son’s a natural-born fighter. His brother, Roger, trained him anyway. Floyd never trained his son for a world title fight. He tells me he’s the greatest but what has he done? He trained Oscar De La Hoya after Oscar has already won four world titles. Floyd is a legend in his own mind,” said Roach on the TimesOnline. - By Abac Cordero (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20090402/tsp-fight-short-sweet-d685dba.html

Hatton Vs Pacman Updates

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton pose with the IBO belt during a press conference at the Imperial War Museum in London, England on Monday during one of the stops on their mega UK media tour to officially announce their upcoming “East vs West” world junior welterweight championship fight on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Hatton is presented by Top Rank and Golden Boy and will be available on HBO Pay Per View.

Source: http://www.fightnews.com/?p=5324