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

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

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.

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