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”.
The Next Manny Pacquiao Fight: Will it Be Pound for Pound or Real Strength?
April 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Manny Pacquiao
“Get ready for some beating” for the next Manny Pacquiao fight. This statement from Floyd Mayweather Sr, Ricky Hatton’s trainer, surely put a message across to Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao – that they could expect a great fighter in Hatton.
Considering that Pacquiao moved up two weight divisions and easily beat Oscar dela Hoya in December, Hatton is also up to face a determined fighter who is considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. However, the trainer does not consider such circumstance as a reason to fear the Filipino boxer.
Mayweather has repeatedly claimed that the May 2 clash between the two boxing superstars will put Hatton back to no. 1 again. Such display of confidence might have sprung out of Hatton’s decision to change his fighting style, one that would combine strategies that he used to stop Kotsya Tszyu and Paul Malignaggi.
There is even a plan that after defeating Pacquiao on May 2, Hatton will try to do a match with Marquez. Such plan, if accomplished, will put back Hatton’s boxing career in the ring again, and will give him a big chance to win back the no. 1 spot.
Furthermore, Mayweather Sr. said that Pacquiao is not likely to bear the tremendous power and strength of his boxer. He aptly describes Hatton as the fighter that has real strength, and that Manny was tailor-made for his British opponent.
Of course, Freddie Roach would not just close his mouth as if he need not comment on Mayweather’s harsh words. Throwing back some punches, the Hall of Fame Trainer still insisted that Pacquiao will knock out Hatton some time in the later rounds. Roach belittled Mayweather for claiming that he (Mayweather) was the best trainer.
He went on by saying that Mayweather has never trained his own son Floyd Mayweather, Jr. On being the trainer of Oscar dela Hoya, Roach said that the boxer has already won four world titles before Mayweather became his trainer. In other words, Roach would like to say that the trainer claims achievements that are not really his own, or, to be blunt, he has never achieved anything.
As a morale booster to each of their wards, their belittling words hurled at each other’s camp serve as encouragement. On one occasion Pacquiao was man enough to admit that he expects a lot of problems from Hatton, much more than what he expected from Golden Boy dela Hoya. As a proof, the Filipino legendary boxer is back in thick training, more than what he has done before in his previous fights.
On the other hand, Hatton knows that Manny does not fit into his bullying fighting style that has become his trademark. To equalize Pacquiao’s tremendous speed, he will rely on his hand speed and punching power. One problem though is the issue that since Hatton is used to his old style, it would be difficult for him to stop Manny who is very much aware of his “weakness”.
For sure, boxing aficionados will enjoy this great fight between two of the world’s no. 1 boxers in their own right. Whether this fight will favor Hatton or Pacquiao, every punch will be a piece of victory for the boxing world.
