Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao Fight Preview
Pacquiao's Fight With Hatton Could be the Best of the Year
Apr 11, 2009
Boxing’s mass appeal has been waning in recent years as mixed martial arts has gained prominence. But next month it won’t be just boxing purists focusing on the protagonists in the biggest fight so far this year because this is one contest guaranteed to appeal to all sports enthusiasts.
Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao and Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton square up at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on May 2 and the fight city will be heaving. It’ll be one of the biggest non-heavyweight fights ever and even the most astute boxing analyst is at odds over the outcome of this IBO light-welterweight title bout.
Manny Pacquiao is favourite
The slight betting favourite is Pacquiao simply because of the comprehensive way he dealt with the faded Oscar De La Hoya in December when widespread predictions were that the Golden Boy would be too big and strong for the Filipino legend who had never fought at welterweight (147 pounds) before. In the event it turned out to be anti-climatic. Pacman totally dominated over eight rounds to force De La Hoya not to go out humiliatingly on his shield like the warrior he purported to be, but by pulling out on his stool between rounds.
Winner meets Floyd Mayweather
At the 140-pound light-welter limit, Hatton, 30, is undefeated. His only pro loss in 45 bouts was to Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather at welter but since then the Englishman has changed trainers and hired Mayweather’s dad, Floyd Snr, and claims he is a significantly improved fighter. Certainly fitter and tactically shrewder, Hatton’s greatest flaw is his lack of defensive subtleties. He loves to swarm opponents but leaves himself open to counters, which is what Mayweather Jnr used to break him down over 10 rounds in December 2007.
Ricky Hatton needs patience
Against a fabulous technician like Pacquiao who also possesses power and magnificent conditioning, if Hatton does not temper his gung-ho style it could spell disaster. Hatton’s new trainer has focused on that and the Hitman is likely to adopt a more pragmatic approach this time compared to the Mayweather clash.
Pacquiao, also 30, started his career as a light-fly, only 107 pounds dripping wet. He has won 36 of his 48 victories by knockouts so there is no doubting his power even at the heavier poundage. Significantly, two of his three losses were by knockout so he needs to respect Hatton’s immense power. (Hatton too has an impressive knockout ration, winning 32 by the early route.) Pacquiao has added extra finesse and ring craft to his repertoire since teaming up with respected trainer Freddie Roach.
Slug-fest like Hagler-Hearns
All pointers are it’s unlikely to be a long, boring bout. Both stellar fighters believe that it won’t go the distance and it is definitely not going to go past three rounds in a slug-fest reminiscent of the Marvin Hagler- Thomas 'Hitman' Hearns war in 1985. Hagler won that epic battle in sensational fashion, knocking out the original Hitman when it was imperative because a gashed eye threatened his imminent stoppage by referee Richard Steele.
If Hatton-Pacquiao generates only a fraction of that excitement and intensity, then it will live up to expectations and be the most engaging fight of the year.
