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.
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