The Hatton-Manny Pacquiao Fight: East Meets West
April 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Manny Pacquiao
There is no doubt that the Pacquiao-Hatton fight is one of the much talked-about bouts in the boxing arena this early part of 2009. It can be said that even without the series of promotional tours in different strategic places, this fight will surely get a big following, not only at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but also in pay-per-view.
By themselves, Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton are two simple men. However, once they get inside the boxing ring, they have that kind of lure that attracts people from different walks of life and unites the world into one big boxing fan.
In their recent promotional appearances before their excited fans and the media, they were given such red carpet treatment that they deserve. It is a kind of special attention that even before they say anything, success is already evident.
Both boxers are supported by their countrymen. Filipinos, to whom Pacquiao dedicated his previous fights and victories, are still confident that he will set to record his 49th win by knockout. For many times, he has promised to give honor to his country through his fists, a promise that he was able to keep for many times already.
Hatton on the other hand also has the British people behind him. At 30, the British “hitman” is confident that his technical skills are still improving and will make him fit to face the Filipino southpaw. He even plans to have more fights within the year after defeating Pacquiao. This is to bring him back to the no. 1 position.
Predictions and speculations are thrown by both camps. The trainers do their own strategy of analyzing the given situations and the capacity of each of their wards. On the part of Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, he told Manny that he will be disappointed if the boxer cannot knock out Hatton in the third round. He further added that Manny is in the process of studying his opponent’s moves and how he could stop Hatton in round 3.
Hatton does not take all of these seriously. With Floyd Mayweather, Sr. as his trainer, he considers the “Battle of East and West” as just another fight of his life. Mayweather is also confident that with Hatton’s focus on the needed preparations, the British boxer will surely take the biggest step up in his life. According to the confident trainer, he has not seen this much kind of concentration on Ricky before.
Given the sad picture of the economy in the background, this event will temporarily divert the world’s attention from the gloomy situation to something on the lighter side of life. People will turn their attention to a different scene, one that is uplifting and inspiring, if only to take a breath from the strangling effect of the economic recession.
Tickets will sell and pay-per view will generate sales. The popularity of the two fighters is unstoppable. Whoever between them will succumb to the other’s strength and power, this fight will still make a history for both men. No doubt, this significant bout will surely make the “East meet West”.
