Hatton to 'shock' Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – British slugger Ricky Hatton bared that current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will be in for a “shock” when they share the ring on May 2.

“I really think I'm the boss over my opponents with my size and strength and with my extra boxing ability now which, from what I've heard from the Pacquiao camp I don't think they've prepared for, they're going to be in for a shock,” Hatton told Gareth Davis of The Daily Telegraph.

Tapering of his UK training yesterday, Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) left for Las Vegas to resume his preparation for the megabuck fight with Pacquiao, adding that he is in “the best shape of his life.”

Additionally, the Manchester-based Hatton boasted that he is ahead of schedule.

"I've still got five weeks to go and at a push I could be ready in a couple of weeks, so I have to be careful not to overdo it now. But I've got a fair few fights under my belt now and I've got a bit of experience so I can't see that happening, and I'm in perfect shape for training camp," he said.

Hatton, labeled by some boxing pundits as a one-dimensional, come-forward slugger, declared that he has undergone significant changes that would make him a better all-around fighter.

"The difference is I'm back using my head. I'm back using my jab, throwing combination punches. I've got a little bit more finesse and I'm thinking about what I'm doing instead of steaming in there and making it easy for my opponents so I'm better in every department now,” he said.

Hatton added that he is not about to lose in the 140-pound division, having stayed undefeated at the weight class for 44 fights. His lone defeat was at welterweight, one division north, against former pound-for-pound boss Floyd Mayweather.

Though he recognizes his opponent’s qualities, Hatton expressed sheer confidence and issued a stern warning to Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs).

"It's a tough fight, he's a southpaw, he's very, very quick, he's a decent puncher, but this is my division," Hatton said.

The Pacquiao-Hatton fight is dubbed "The Battle of East and West."

- By Dino Maragay (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)