Pacquiao, Hatton eager to prove who's really the boss
05/02/2009 | 07:12 PM
MANILA, Philippines – This one’s going to be fast, furious and action-packed.
Bearing the hopes of an entire nation, Manny Pacquiao goes to war against Ricky Hatton Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) in a 12-round junior-welterweight title fight pitting two of boxing’s most vicious punchers today.
The bout at the Garden Arena of the MGM Grand promises to be an explosive one that only a handful expects it to last the distance.
Hatton, the defending International Boxing Organization (IBO) light-welterweight champion, told everyone to stay and hold on to their seats.
“I don’t see it being a tickling contest," said the 30-year old brawler from Manchester, England, whose ever devoted British fans are again expected to pack the arena and watch their hero in action.
“I see it being an absolute war because we’re both fighters by nature."
Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today, is not one to back down.
“Wala ng atrasan. Bakbakan na ito," said the Filipino brown bomber on the eve of the slugfest many see as a possible candidate for Fight of the Year honors.
Pacquiao, 30, is gunning for his sixth world title counting the 2003 Ring Magazine featherweight belt he won when he demolished Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera.
He previously reigned as champion in the flyweight, super-bantamweight, super-featherweight and lightweight while beating retired boxing superstar Oscar De La Hoya in his first foray as a welterweight last year.
The Pacman hopes to add in his collection the 140-pound class, a territory where Hatton has never been beaten.
“This is for the glory of my country," said Pacquiao in Friday’s official weigh-in also at the Garden Arena.
Pacquiao (46-3-2, 36 KOs) tipped the scale at 138 pounds, flexing his muscular body for his adoring fans to see shortly after making the weight.
Hatton looked as fit as the Filipino challenger, coming in at exactly 140 pounds as pandemonium broke out inside the raucous arena the moment event host Mario Lopez announced that the “Hitman" made it.
“I just think that Pacquiao underestimated me. Pacquiao’s camp thinks I struggle with southpaws. If that’s their opinion, you know, don’t expect me to share their enthusiasm" said Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), whose last fight ended in an 11th round technical knockout win over Paul Malignaggi.
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer doesn’t have a problem with that, believing deep inside him that his boy would take out Hatton and inflict the Englishman his second loss in his last four fights.
“Can’t wait for the fight," he said.
The three-time Trainer of the Year expects Pacquiao to balloon at around 147 to 148 pounds on the day of the fight.
“No more than that," he admitted. “We’ll maintain his diet and watch to make sure that he doesn’t bloat himself or overdo it."
After the weigh-in Pacquiao ate boiled eggs, kebab and tinolang manok. For dinner, he feasted on sweet and sour fish and nilagang baka.
“We’ll go for a walk tomorrow (Sunday) just to get him outside," said Roach.
A mass at 12 noon inside Pacquiao’s suite at the 60th floor will be held hours before the fight.
Kenny Bayless will be the third man on the ring while the three judges are CJ Ross, Glenn Trowbridge, Michael Pernick.
Seeing action in the undercard is rising Filipino contender Bernabe Concepcion who takes on Yogli Herrera in an eight-round fight at featherweight. – AP
Bearing the hopes of an entire nation, Manny Pacquiao goes to war against Ricky Hatton Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) in a 12-round junior-welterweight title fight pitting two of boxing’s most vicious punchers today.
The bout at the Garden Arena of the MGM Grand promises to be an explosive one that only a handful expects it to last the distance.
Hatton, the defending International Boxing Organization (IBO) light-welterweight champion, told everyone to stay and hold on to their seats.
“I don’t see it being a tickling contest," said the 30-year old brawler from Manchester, England, whose ever devoted British fans are again expected to pack the arena and watch their hero in action.
“I see it being an absolute war because we’re both fighters by nature."
Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today, is not one to back down.
“Wala ng atrasan. Bakbakan na ito," said the Filipino brown bomber on the eve of the slugfest many see as a possible candidate for Fight of the Year honors.
Pacquiao, 30, is gunning for his sixth world title counting the 2003 Ring Magazine featherweight belt he won when he demolished Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera.
He previously reigned as champion in the flyweight, super-bantamweight, super-featherweight and lightweight while beating retired boxing superstar Oscar De La Hoya in his first foray as a welterweight last year.
The Pacman hopes to add in his collection the 140-pound class, a territory where Hatton has never been beaten.
“This is for the glory of my country," said Pacquiao in Friday’s official weigh-in also at the Garden Arena.
Pacquiao (46-3-2, 36 KOs) tipped the scale at 138 pounds, flexing his muscular body for his adoring fans to see shortly after making the weight.
Hatton looked as fit as the Filipino challenger, coming in at exactly 140 pounds as pandemonium broke out inside the raucous arena the moment event host Mario Lopez announced that the “Hitman" made it.
“I just think that Pacquiao underestimated me. Pacquiao’s camp thinks I struggle with southpaws. If that’s their opinion, you know, don’t expect me to share their enthusiasm" said Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), whose last fight ended in an 11th round technical knockout win over Paul Malignaggi.
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer doesn’t have a problem with that, believing deep inside him that his boy would take out Hatton and inflict the Englishman his second loss in his last four fights.
“Can’t wait for the fight," he said.
The three-time Trainer of the Year expects Pacquiao to balloon at around 147 to 148 pounds on the day of the fight.
“No more than that," he admitted. “We’ll maintain his diet and watch to make sure that he doesn’t bloat himself or overdo it."
After the weigh-in Pacquiao ate boiled eggs, kebab and tinolang manok. For dinner, he feasted on sweet and sour fish and nilagang baka.
“We’ll go for a walk tomorrow (Sunday) just to get him outside," said Roach.
A mass at 12 noon inside Pacquiao’s suite at the 60th floor will be held hours before the fight.
Kenny Bayless will be the third man on the ring while the three judges are CJ Ross, Glenn Trowbridge, Michael Pernick.
Seeing action in the undercard is rising Filipino contender Bernabe Concepcion who takes on Yogli Herrera in an eight-round fight at featherweight. – AP
