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-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.

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