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

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