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Pacquiao expects war right from opening bell
MANILA, Philippines â Itâs going to be one hell of an explosive fight, a slugfest and a war. Manny Pacquiao guarantees that once he and Ricky Hatton come face-to-face at the center of the ring on May 2 (May 3, Manila time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. âPag-bell, PAK! Letâs get it on," said the Filipino ring idol, letting out a big laugh when asked about the possible opening scenario of the fight considered the first biggest for the year 2009. But seriously, thereâs really nothing to anticipate but an all-out brawl when two of the planetâs top sluggers are pitted against each other. Pacquiao had no problem with it. Thatâs the kind of fight heâs known to thrive on. âGusto ko yun," he said eagerly like a child waiting for his first Christmas present. âMas hirap kasi ako pag tinatakbuhan ako. Mas gusto ko yung pinapasok ako. Yun kasi ang style ko." Their records alone speak of the kind of fighters they are. Pacquiao is 48-3 with 36 KOs while Hatton is 45-1, 32 of them coming inside the distance. Itâs no wonder their respective trainers â Freddie Roach for the âPacman" and Floyd Mayweather Sr. for the âHitman" â had boldly predicted the 12-round bout wonât last for more than three rounds. Pacquiao said heâs not in the business of predicting fight endings, stressing âako naman laban lang lagi, e. Mahirap mag-salita ng tapos." Besides, heâs not setting aside Hattonâs talent. âHuwag nating isipin na this is an easy fight, na kayang-kaya natin ito," said the top pound-for-pound fighter of the world. âMabilis din si Hatton. Magaling din yun, malakas at champion." Conditioning eventually will have a big say on who gets to win the mega-showdown. Heâs not saying heâs the better conditioned fighter, but Pacquiao said heâs ready against Hatton the same way he did against Oscar De La Hoya, whom he demolished inside eight rounds last year. âKundisyon na tayo," he assured everyone. Giving Pacquiao that extra glow in his eyes was the arrival of wife Jinkee here Wednesday night. The three Pacquiao children were left behind in Manila so as not to distract the boxing superstar from his training, although his mother, Dionisia, is here as early as Sunday in her first trip to the United States. â GMANews.TV
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