Pacquiao rightful heir to ‘Golden Boy’s’ throne

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing seems to have found its new “Golden Boy." With Oscar de la Hoya finally hanging up his gloves, Manny Pacquiao could very well be the rightful heir to the 10-time world champions’ throne as the sport’s top attraction. This statement would draw endless debates both from veteran boxing analysts and fight fans, but the speedy Pacquiao’s quick two-round demolition job of Ricky Hatton might convince them that the power-punching Filipino could be the messiah of the sport, which currently shares the spotlight with the mixed martial arts featured in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Pacquiao’s second round KO victory over Hatton even earned a comment from Top Rank boss Bob Arum that the pride of General Santos City is next in the line of boxing greats Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Archie Moore, Rocky Marciano, and Mike Tyson, to name a few. “You are going to be the greatest fighter that ever lived," Arum said after Pacquiao brought down Hatton with a solid left-hook that connected freely to the Hitman’s jaw. Hatton fell flat on the canvass, like a deer caught by the oncoming headlights of a truck. Clearly dazed after freely receiving Pacquiao’s 18-wheeler-truck-like punch. Nearly gone But the “Battle of East and West" nearly collapsed after both camps failed to reach an agreement in the revenue split. Pacquiao was insisting that he gets the bigger share of the pie but the Hatton camp wants a 50-50 split. In the end, Pacquiao gave in and decided to sign his name in the contract. And the rest is history as the Filipino ring icon even earned the admiration of Hatton’s British fans, which came in droves only to watch how Pacquiao’s speed overwhelm the Hitman’s brawler-type and rushing style. More challengers With Pacquiao wresting Hatton’s International Boxing Organization (IBO) and Ring Magazine junior welterweight crown, expect other big name fighters coming forward to challenge him in order to snatch the fictitious pound-for-pound title away from his hands. But Pacquiao hinted early this year that he would have two more fights before walking away from the sport that earned him the rock star status, which he is enjoying now. Reports said that the winner between Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr., who decided to once again climb the ring, would be Pacquiao’s next challenger. $12-million paycheck Pacquiao received a $12-million paycheck with the win earning him $163,383.56 per punch he threw against Hatton. Hatton was paid $8 million just to receive Pacquiao’s 73 punches and fall down three times. – GMANews.TV