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)

Hatton Greatest Fights: Hatton vs. Lazcano

On 24 May 2008, Hatton beat Mexican Juan Lazcano by unanimous decision with scores of 120-110, 120-108 and 118-110, in front of his home crowd of 55,000 (a post-World War II record for a boxing match in Britain), at City of Manchester Stadium to retain The Ring Magazine and IBO light welterweight titles. Hatton did well when he boxed and controlled the range, utilizing his jab and dominating a lot of the early exchanges. In round eight, Hatton absorbed a left hook to the chin that wobbled him, and in round ten, Hatton was hurt again by a left hook. Despite that, Hatton outworked Lazcano to win at least ten of the rounds.

Pacquiao Greatest Fights: Pacquiao vs Marquez 2

On March 15, 2008, in a rematch against Juan Manuel Márquez called "Unfinished Business", Pacquiao won via a disputed split decision in a close, hard fought battle in which Pacquiao knocked Marquez down in round 3. Pacquiao won the WBC and The Ring super featherweight belts, making him the first Filipino to win three world titles in three different weight divisions (Pacquiao was a former WBC flyweight champion and former IBF super bantamweight champion).

During the postfight interview, Marquez’s camp called for an immediate rematch. Richard Schaefer, GBP CEO, offered a $6-million guarantee to Pacquiao for a rematch. Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, still stinging from the less-than-stellar revenue from Kelly Pavlik’s immediate rematch with Jermain Taylor, said the fight will probably happen but only after there is time to “put a little air under it.” Pacquiao, for his part, said "I don't think so, this business is over" because he planned to move to lightweight (135 lbs) to challenge David Díaz, the reigning WBC lightweight champion at that time. Diaz won the majority decision over Ramon Montano that night as an undercard of the "Unfinished Business" fight.

Hatton Greatest Fights: Hatton v Collazo

Ricky Hatton won against Luis Collazo by unanimous decision on the 13th of May 2006. Venue of the fight is on Boston, Massachusetts. Hatton won the WBA Welterweight title, which was vacated on 31 August 2006.

Hatton's tribute to Floyd

RICKY Hatton has paid tribute to trainer Floyd Mayweather sr for getting him in top shape and rejuvenating his career.

There were some who felt he should have hung up his gloves after a sloppy win over Juan Lazcano last May.

However, after joining forces with Mayweather - father of the Floyd jr, the only man to beat Hatton in 46 contests - the Mancunian has been revitalised.

He beat Paulie Malignaggi in November and now is just six weeks away from a fight with Manny Pacquiao, currently the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, in Las Vegas on May 2.

The 30-year-old's problems with his fluctuating weight are well-documented but after completing the British leg of his preparations Hatton feels fitter than ever.

"My weight is right down, I'm in great shape. Ricky 'Fatton' has disappeared," said the IBO light-welterweight champion.

"I've never been as down on my weight. I'm pretty much at the weight - 154lbs - which I will be on the night.

"As the fight gets nearer I will get faster, sharper and more explosive.

"It is great being ahead of schedule in that it gives you a luxury. I'd rather be ahead now than chasing it later on.

"I have to be careful I don't over-cook it but I - and Floyd - are too long in the tooth, boxing-wise, to let that happen."

Hatton and Mayweather freely admit they are polar opposites in terms of the type of people they are but they appear to have discovered a winning formula.

"I needed a new lease of life after the Lazcano fight. Floyd has brought my boxing ability back, got me using my jab," Hatton added.

"We are very different but it works. We are really comfortable together.

"The last training camp (pre-Malignaggi) we were under pressure. Everyone thought I was past it and going off the boil.

"When you think of the improvements in the Paulie Malignaggi fight - we were only together seven weeks and for the first two or three we had to get used to each other.

"From the first day Floyd came back here (to prepare for Pacquiao) we have started from a higher platform.

"I am really excited by the performance I can produce. It should be a damn sight better with another training camp under our belts."

With Mayweather jr reportedly ready to make a comeback Hatton has not given up hope of a rematch with the man who ended his unbeaten record.

However, he knows it is too dangerous to look beyond the Pacquiao fight.

"I would like to finish the year off fighting Juan Manuel Marquez - he's number two in the pound-for-pound ratings - and in doing that and establishing myself as number one I'd like to think I'd get a rematch with Mayweather," he added.

"Those three fights will see me to the end of my career. But I can't look at Marquez or Mayweather yet as I'm fighting Pacquiao."

Source: http://www.rickyhitmanhatton.com/

17 experts pick Manny Pacquiao to defeat Ricky Hatton

The current issue of The Ring magazine has 21 pages dedicated to coverage of the upcoming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. One of the features has 20 experts predicting the winner of the fight and 17 have picked Pacquiao. The three experts who have selected Hatton are Steve Bunch (television commentator) by late-round stoppage; Mark Collings (Esquire UK) mid- to late-round stoppage and Stuart Brennan (Manchester Evening News), possibly late-round stoppage.

Interestingly, two men who have fought Hatton -- Paulie Malignaggi and Luis Collazo -- both pick Pacquiao to win. And David Diaz, who fought Pac Man, also picks Manny by TKO.

by Bobby Cassidy

Source: http://weblogs.newsday.com

It's all work for Pacquiao at Wildcard Gym in LA

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao resumed his training at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), putting behind the controversy that could have stirred up a hornet's nest.

GMA News' 24 Oras reported that Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao's assistant trainer, jacked up Pacman's sparring sessions to six rounds to keep the Filipino boxing icon in top form.

“Slowly we will increase the number of rounds of his sessions until he reaches his peak. Before it was only five rounds now we are doing six and we would add more as the fight nears," Fernandez said in Filipino.

To make Pacman more focussed on his training, Team Pacquiao prohibited media coverage at the Wildcard Gym and scheduled autograph signing and photo sessions with the boxer only every Saturday.

It was apparent that Pacquiao was already working out at ease after he was able to settle his dispute with Solar Entertainment Corporation over the latter's right to air Pacquiao's match with British champ Ricky Hatton.

Last week, Pacquiao decided to rescind his contract with Solar Sports and personally gave the rights of airing his scheduled May 2 fight against Ricky Hatton to ABS-CBN.

The Filipino boxing icon, however, changed his mind and honored his existing contract with Solar, which has the rights of airing all of his future fights until 2011. Pacquiao met with Solar officials led by president and chief executive officer Wilson Tieng and chief operating officer Peter Chanliong last Friday to discuss the terms of his contract.

According to Pacquiao, ABS-CBN failed to keep its promise to not air his video statement until he has proven that Solar did not violate any provisions in their contract.

But according to ABS-CBN, Pacquiao gave them his consent to air his recorded statement. However, they still respect Pacquiao’s decision of sticking with Solar Sports.

GMA Network president and chief executive officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, meanwhile, welcomed Pacquiao’s decision of honoring his contract with Solar.

“Pacquiao made a bold statement during the press conference organized by GMA and Solar Sports when he said that ABS reneged on their commitment not to air the video of his transfer until after he has proven the breach of contract on Solar’s part," said Gozon in a statement.

Gozon even admired Pacquiao for his courage in admitting his faults. “It’s now time to move forward and forget everything that happened. GMA wishes for Pacquiao’s victory against Hatton." – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv

Hatton Greates Fights: Hatton vs Malignaggi

Ricky Hatton fought Paulie Malignaggi of the United States at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on 22 November for Hatton's IBO Light Welterweight title and Ring Magazine Light welterweight title.[28] He was trained for the fight by Floyd Mayweather, Sr..[29] Hatton dominated for all of the fight and defeated Malignaggi by 11th-round TKO when Malignaggi's trainer, Buddy McGirt, threw in the towel 48 seconds into the round.
.


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Pacquiao Greatest Matches: Pacquiao Vs Diaz

On June 28, 2008, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Pacquiao defeated David Díaz via ninth-round knockout to become the WBC lightweight champion. With the victory, Pacquiao became the only Filipino and Asian boxer to win four major titles in four weight classes and also became the first Filipino fighter to ever win a world title at lightweight. The fight ended at 2:23 of the ninth round and was viewed by 8,362 spectators. Bob Arum announced that Pacquiao is most likely to fight November 15 versus 130-lb Venezuelan champion Edwin Valero or Humberto Soto in Planet Hollywood, and he also mentioned the name of WBA, WBO, and IBF lightweight champ Nate Campbell. "I can fight in November," Pacquiao stated, "Who I fight is the job of my promoter (Bob Arum)." Diaz had his best payday, $850,000, and Pacquiao earned at least $3 million.

Roach: Hatton out in three

MANILA, Philippines – Ricky Hatton, be warned.

Multi-awarded trainer Freddie Roach has confidently predicted that the Hitman’s fight with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao won’t last three rounds.

“We’re going to knock him out in three rounds,” Roach said in an interview with maxboxing.com. “I told Manny that if it goes past three rounds, I’d be mad at him.”

Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) may have a lot of worrying to do — Roach has a history of accurately predicting the exact round Pacquiao finishes the opposition. In fact, the bespectacled trainer hit it right on the nail when he said Pacquiao will knock out lightweight champion David Diaz in nine rounds in June 2008.

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) is currently in the thick of training at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. The General Santos-based southpaw is reported to have just completed a tough sparring session with undefeated lightweight Urbano Antillon.

And even before the action-packed session began, Roach has already expressed satisfaction with the way things are going for his prized ward.

“Manny is doing well. He’s sharp. He’s boxing really well. We’ve got the game plan all worked out and I’m really happy with where he is at,” he said.

It was announced earlier today that Roach will be the recipient of the 2008 Trainer of the Year Award from the Boxing Writers Association of America.

The Pacquiao-Hatton fight, dubbed “The Battle of East and West,” will be held on May 2 (May 3 in Manila) in Las Vegas. It will be contested in the junior welterweight division (140 pounds), where Hatton is the lineal champion.

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

Pacquiao Greatest Fights: Pacquiao vs Barrera

I'm bigger and stronger than Pacquiao, claims boxer Hatton

I'm bigger and stronger than Pacquiao, claims boxer Hatton



LONDON (AFP) — England's world light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton believes he will emerge victorious over Filipino pugilist Manny Pacquiao in their world title bout in Las Vegas on May 2.

The 30-year-old Englishman met up with Pacquiao, who confirmed his status as the world's leading fighter with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, in London on Monday for a friendlier meeting than can be expected of the fireworks when they face each other in May.

"My size and strength will be a key factor," Hatton told BBC Sport.

"Light-welterweight is my weight division. I've never lost at 10st and I'm brimming with confidence."

While Hatton admires his opponent, a four-weight world champion, he believes that the Filipino beat a de la Hoya, who was on the decline.

"I know he beat Oscar de la Hoya, but Oscar wasn't that difficult to beat and outbox that night, I think I could have done an equally as good job, if not better," said Hatton, who has a record of 45 wins from 46 fights.

"Oscar got in the ring at 10st 7lb, I'll get in the ring at 11st. Manny will have a lot of punishment to absorb.

"I've seen Manny dropped with body shots a few times by smaller men and seen him shook up with head punches."

However, Hatton did concede that it would not be an easy bout depsite the difference in size between the two fighters.

"I'll have a lot of difficulty with him," said Hatton, who hopes that victory over Pacquiao will pave the way for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, the only man ever to beat him.

"He's got very good punching power and very fast hands from a southpaw style. He also brings fighters on to the punch and has good footwork.

"It's the two most popular fighters in the world and the two most exciting fighters in the world fighting for the biggest prize in boxing, Manny's pound-for-pound title. It will be the fight of the year."

Pacquiao, also 30 and who owns a record of 48 wins and three losses from 53 fights, said he felt the same thrill aobut this fight than he had for when he fought de la Hoya.

"The intensity for this fight is the same as for the Oscar de la Hoya fight (which was last December)," he said.

"But I think there will be more action in the ring against Ricky, the intensity will be double it was in the last fight."

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, who also trains British lightweight star Amir Khan, said Hatton was the ideal opponent for his boxer.

"Ricky will make us look great," said Roach, who has also worked with Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins, De la Hoya, among others.

"He'll run into too many problems and we'll dominate. We're just too quick and I have the game-plan mapped out already. He'll make it difficult for us for a little while, but we will get to him."

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g-C3xfvdt_VlqYUFWBxioQzR4pQw

Hatton clearly the underdog against Pacquiao

By: Ricardo Lois

He might have a skull lined with concrete, thousands of fans chanting, "There's only onnnnnnnnnnnne Ricky Hatton," and a huggy bear style that can frustrate the most average of
boxers. But come May 2nd, Ricky Hatton will be a clear underdog against Manny Pacquiao.

One Internet sports book has the Filipino boxing idol a two-to-one favorite over the U.K. bruiser.

It does not take an expert to realize Hatton loves his booze and fish 'n chips. As long-time, robust fight figure Michael Marley recently noted, during a U.K. presser this week it seemed as if Hatton was aroused early from a night of partying to attend the media meet and greet. Afterall, we are talking about a fighter who has even embraced the moniker of Ricky "Fatton."

Yet for all his lack of self-care during between-fight downtime, Hatton has never failed to come less than prepared for a major fight. And usually his foes break under Ricky's iron will and goonery.

Do not expect the 30-year-old to hit the wall against Pacquiao, especially under the watchful eye of world renowned trainer and taskmaster Floyd Mayweather Senior.

So what will be Hatton's undoing?

Manny Pacquiao.

“I’ve been in a lot of big, big fights and beaten a lot of great fighters. My last fight against De La Hoya was important, but Ricky Hatton will be much harder," Pacquiao recently told a Filipino news outlet.

Manny is giving Hatton too much credit, drumming up a fairly predictable clash and trying to sell more pay-per-views in my estimation.

Hatton is a world class brawler who relies on being able to get off his punches and then hug and mug his foe. That sort of rudimentary strategy can work wonders against run-of-the-mill opposition.

His comeback from a December 2007 knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather Junior has been built on victories against a very average Juan Lazcano and the stoppage knockout of athletic but feather and damaged fisted Paulie Malignaggi.

Q: Why did Hatton loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr?

A: Floyd was the most athletic boxer Ricky had ever faced in his career and the former pound-for-pound great was able to strike and flutter away from Hatton's attempted clinches.

Prior to Mayweather, Hatton's resume reads like a who's who of serviceable brawlers: Juan Urango, a blown-up and past prime Jose Luis Castillo, Carlos Maussa. Hatton did ice the previously unstoppable Kostya Tsyu, but the Russian was 35 and well past his prime.

Hatton's only other scare, aside from Mayweather, was a tough unanimous decision "victory" over crafty lefty Luis Collazo.

Want to give Hatton problems?

Be a lefty, box, have athletic ability, and the capability to move around on your feet.

Unfortunately for the Manchester faithful Manny Pacquiao has loads and loads of Ricky's poisons and power to boot.

Once an off-balance, offense first, second and last lefty, Pacquiao has been transformed by Freddie Roach into a calibrated boxing machine. The fiery native of General Santos still throws punches in bunches from a southpaw stance. But as proved in his definitive victory over Oscar De La Hoya, Manny can now weave in and out of exchanges while still punishing his opponent.

If you throw level of opposition into the mix, Pacquiao has been hardened by a string of future Hall of Fame fighters.

Erik Morales, De La Hoya, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez all rear their legendary mugs in Manny's record. The only fighter who can equal the abilities of those former Pacquiao foes on Hatton's list of foes is Floyd Mayweather Junior and we already went over how that bout went for Hatton.

Don't believe the pre-fight hype. Don't listen to Manny up-sell Ricky. Don't listen to Floyd Senior taunt Manny and Freddie. Don't listen to Hatton say he will knock out the Filipino. And don't believe this is a fight of the year candidate worthy of forty-some-odd dollars.

Look at the lines and believe the odds-makers who have Pacquiao as a clear favorite.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/

Hatton's lethal combination

Ricky Hatton insists he not only has the power to beat Manny Pacquiao, but also the boxing ability.

'The Hitman', 45-1 with 32 knockouts, will return to the site of his only defeat to date when he takes on Filipino southpaw Pacquaio on May 2.

Floyd Mayweather Jnr proved the Mancunian's undoing at welterweight on that occasion in December 2007, but he remains the king in his more natural 140 pound division.

And having already talked up the advantage he will have at the weight, Hatton now says his improved speed and skill will prove even more key at the MGM Grand.

Speed

"I strongly believe I will be as fast as Manny. If I'm not as fast as Manny, I'll only be the narrowest of margins behind," Hatton said. "He's going to get a shock. The technical side and the speed will shock him more than anything.

"To say I'm confident would be an understatement. Training is going well. I'm feeling really sharp. Me and Floyd have been doing good work and obviously the speed factor is going to be a big factor.

"I've always said at 140 pounds I believe I'm too strong and too big. With the hand speed and punching, the things I'm learning with Floyd and my boxing ability, Manny has got something else to worry about besides the sheer size. He has got some technical ability to worry about come the night.

"If you can make him miss, he's very open and off balance. If he misses, he's going to have some big shots waiting for him."

Backing

Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr is backing up the words of his man as he bids to defeat the world's best pound-for-pound fighter (48 (36KOs)-2-3).

"We're going to bust his ass up," Mayweather Snr said. "Ricky is one of the easiest guys in the world to train. He makes it easy for me and hard for Pac-Man. Ricky surprises me at times. I'm sure he'll surprise Pac. He's an A-1 student.

"Ricky has a very good chance of knocking him out. Pacquiao is fighting a man who has real strength, can keep real pressure on him, bang him to the body and the head and smother him at the same time. That's hard to deal with."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/