The Heat is On For the Pacquiao-Hatton Match

The heat of the Pacquiao-Hatton fight that is slated on May 2 this year is causing an intensifying fever in different parts of the world. The two world-renowned boxers will visit Hollywood in order to promote their much talked-about match, after their UK stint. For sure the temperature will continue to rise as they set foot in the US, especially because their light welterweight showdown will be in Las Vegas, Nevada right in the world famous MGM Grand Garden Arena.

It can be recalled that there have been lots of negotiations done by both camps before the much-anticipated fight was finally sealed last January. The British boxer Hatton, optimistic as he is, wants to have two more fights after Pacquiao, which openly shows his confidence that he would win this fight against the 30 year old “People’s Champ” from General Santos City, Philippines.

In their US promo tour, the two boxing icons will be accompanied each by their respective trainers, Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather, Sr. They are expected to hold media conferences and also to have some time with their fans. There have already been some other promo tours that were conducted in some other parts of the UK.

Pacquiao is now doing his best to face Hatton who said that he would change his fighting style just for Pacquiao. In an earlier statement, Hatton admitted that he cannot use his bullying style so he would further enhance his hand speed and punching power. He used this style to win his IBF title against Kotsya Tszyu in 2005. However, he needs to do more than that in order to beat a lightning-fast fighter that is Manny Pacquiao.

After Pacquiao, Hatton hopes to fight against two top rank boxers including Marquez who is now no. 2 in the list of the world’s pound-for-pound bests. If this plan of beating the two boxers will come true, he would have a chance to have a rematch with his favorite Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (if the latter finally decides to return from hiatus).

It could be remembered that Mayweather, Jr. beat him in the 10th round of the 2007 fight, the first lose on Hatton’s part, which nearly cost him his boxing career. Ricky would not let the same thing happen again.

On the other hand, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, said he sees a great fight between the two in the first half, but he is confident that Manny will rule over Hatton in the later rounds. There is even a big possibility that Pacquiao will knock him out at some point.

In addition, Roach said that Hatton’s old style is hard to discard just like that. Even if he changes his style, Hatton would only need a hit to get him out of his composure so that he will revert back to his old style of fighting. Once this is established, Manny could surely finish him off. This is much easier said than done, because as you see, each camp is doing its best not only to put up a good fight, but of course to win the world title.