Report: Hatton to seal deal on Pacquiao fight
01/27/2009 | 06:23 PM
MANILA, Philippines – The fight that spent days in limbo finally saw light after Manny Pacquiao’s foe, Ricky Hatton, is set to sign the contract that would seal the deal of the May 2 super-bout.
Gareth Williams, Hatton’s lawyer, said in the British website The Telegraph that he is now reviewing the contract details with Hatton ready to sign once he returns to his hometown in Manchester from London.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum will officially announce that the mega-bucks fight will push through in a press conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Williams added they will also hold a similar press conference in Britain. “It won’t be a problem and we’ll announce the fight at a press conference on Thursday. All the pressure is off now."
Hatton is expected to face Pacquiao at the MGM Grand, the same venue where he suffered a 10th round defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. on December 8, 2007.
After losing to Mayweather, Hatton bounced back with consecutive wins against Americans Juan Lazcano and Paul Malignaggi that brought back his status as a major contender.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, had a superb 2008 after beating Juan Manual Marquez, David Diaz and the legendary Oscar De La Hoya.
The Pacquiao-Hatton fight nearly collapsed after both camps couldn't agree on the revenue split. However, both camps finally came to their senses and decided to save the superfight that could bring in huge profits for both boxers.
Pacquiao's chief of staff Jayke Joson also confirmed that the Filipino boxing icon will start training by the second week of February due to his prior commitments.
"Manny is going to finish all of his commitments here in the Philippines before beginning his training. Manny does not want to be bothered when he starts training," said Joson. – GMANews.TV
Gareth Williams, Hatton’s lawyer, said in the British website The Telegraph that he is now reviewing the contract details with Hatton ready to sign once he returns to his hometown in Manchester from London.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum will officially announce that the mega-bucks fight will push through in a press conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Williams added they will also hold a similar press conference in Britain. “It won’t be a problem and we’ll announce the fight at a press conference on Thursday. All the pressure is off now."
Hatton is expected to face Pacquiao at the MGM Grand, the same venue where he suffered a 10th round defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. on December 8, 2007.
After losing to Mayweather, Hatton bounced back with consecutive wins against Americans Juan Lazcano and Paul Malignaggi that brought back his status as a major contender.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, had a superb 2008 after beating Juan Manual Marquez, David Diaz and the legendary Oscar De La Hoya.
The Pacquiao-Hatton fight nearly collapsed after both camps couldn't agree on the revenue split. However, both camps finally came to their senses and decided to save the superfight that could bring in huge profits for both boxers.
Pacquiao's chief of staff Jayke Joson also confirmed that the Filipino boxing icon will start training by the second week of February due to his prior commitments.
"Manny is going to finish all of his commitments here in the Philippines before beginning his training. Manny does not want to be bothered when he starts training," said Joson. – GMANews.TV
