LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao matches his speed and deceptive moves against the superior size and power of British star Ricky Hatton on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) in a long-awaited boxing showdown.
Both 30-year-old fighters are trying to cement their spot in ring history in the junior welterweight matchup, with Pacquiao, 48-3 with two draws and 35 knockouts, a slight oddsmakers favorite over Hatton, 45-1 with 32 knockouts.“I’m confident I will win,” Pacquiao said. “I’ve worked hard for the past eight weeks, looked at a lot of his fights, and I’m ready to fight.” The fight starts at 9:54 p.m. here (12:54 p.m. Sunday in Manila).
Pacquiao, who defeated David Diaz and Oscar de la Hoya in heavier weight classes last year, is well within the 140-pound limit, tipping the scales at 137 lbs. in shorts and training shoes two days before Saturday’s fight.
In contrast, Hatton may still be struggling to make the welterweight limit a few hours before Friday’s official weigh-in. He was seen running out in the sun, obviously still trying to shed excess poundage. (See story on Page A21.)
Pacquiao could match the all-time record by becoming a champion in his sixth different weight class by lifting Hatton’s International Boxing Organization junior welterweight world title after dispatching now-retired six-division champion Oscar de la Hoya.
List of legends
“It’s very important to me to win a sixth different title,” Pacquiao said. “If it happens, people will put me on the list of the greatest boxing legends.”
Hatton seeks the pound-for-pound crown now held by Pacquiao after dominating the division. The Englishman’s only defeat came in 2007 when he moved up to welterweight and was stopped in the 10th round by US star Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“One thing fighting Floyd Jr. taught me is you can’t steamroll everybody,” Hatton said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. With my added speed, jab movement, head speed, other things, I’m confident I’m going to win.”
Hatton says he has never been more relaxed or confident before a fight.
“As long as I do what I do best, I believe I’m going to be too much in all areas for Manny,” Hatton said. “I couldn’t be any more positive about the outcome.”
$12M for Manny; $8 for Ricky
Pacquiao will take home $12 million from the bout while Hatton is set for an $8 million payday. Pay-per-view income alone for the megafight is expected to be at least $40 million.
Well aware of the challenge Hatton presents, Pacquiao said he has never trained harder for a fight in his career.
“Ricky Hatton is a different fighter from what I have fought before,” said Pacquiao. “I expect him to be fast and strong. It’s going to be a hard fight.”
“His style is to come at you and throw a lot of punches. He has a strong left hand. I have to take care of that and focus on that.”
Hatton is very familiar with Pacquiao’s elusive footwork and ability to connect quickly and often.
Adjusting to fight style
“I don’t see a versatile fight in Manny Pacquiao. You can adjust to his style,” Hatton said.
“I know what Manny will be up to. He’s very effective at what he does but he fights the same way all the time. He throws a right jab, a one-two. He has a tricky shuffle, backs up and comes in, then makes you fall short.”
Knowing Pacquiao and stopping him, however, are different things.
“I don’t want to change my style. I just want to apply some techniques to improve my style,” Pacquiao said. “I believe I’m improving.”
Pacquiao figures to have a speed advantage while the larger Hatton should have an edge in power. Both boxers have a hard-punching, aggressive style that is expected to make this among the year’s best fights.
Heavier isn’t stronger
“Being heavier doesn’t make you stronger. I have the stronger fighter. I guarantee it,” Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. “He comes to fight. He likes to exchange. Manny is a machine. He’s in great shape.”
Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., has worked on defense and moves to make the “Hitman” more versatile.
“He had brute strength. I showed him how to box,” Mayweather said. “If he wants to box we’ll box. If he wants to brawl we will brawl. Whatever Manny wants to do, we’re definitely stronger. Ricky will definitely back him up.”
Hatton’s drawing power has brought an estimated 15,000 supporters from Britain, a crowd expected to make Saturday’s atmosphere feel more like an English Premiership football match than a typical US fight night.
Pacquiao, a would-be politician who some see as a possible future Filipino president, was wished good luck by former US President Bill Clinton, who is staying in the same hotel, the Mandalay Bay.
Both 30-year-old fighters are trying to cement their spot in ring history in the junior welterweight matchup, with Pacquiao, 48-3 with two draws and 35 knockouts, a slight oddsmakers favorite over Hatton, 45-1 with 32 knockouts.“I’m confident I will win,” Pacquiao said. “I’ve worked hard for the past eight weeks, looked at a lot of his fights, and I’m ready to fight.” The fight starts at 9:54 p.m. here (12:54 p.m. Sunday in Manila).
Pacquiao, who defeated David Diaz and Oscar de la Hoya in heavier weight classes last year, is well within the 140-pound limit, tipping the scales at 137 lbs. in shorts and training shoes two days before Saturday’s fight.
In contrast, Hatton may still be struggling to make the welterweight limit a few hours before Friday’s official weigh-in. He was seen running out in the sun, obviously still trying to shed excess poundage. (See story on Page A21.)
Pacquiao could match the all-time record by becoming a champion in his sixth different weight class by lifting Hatton’s International Boxing Organization junior welterweight world title after dispatching now-retired six-division champion Oscar de la Hoya.
List of legends
“It’s very important to me to win a sixth different title,” Pacquiao said. “If it happens, people will put me on the list of the greatest boxing legends.”
Hatton seeks the pound-for-pound crown now held by Pacquiao after dominating the division. The Englishman’s only defeat came in 2007 when he moved up to welterweight and was stopped in the 10th round by US star Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“One thing fighting Floyd Jr. taught me is you can’t steamroll everybody,” Hatton said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. With my added speed, jab movement, head speed, other things, I’m confident I’m going to win.”
Hatton says he has never been more relaxed or confident before a fight.
“As long as I do what I do best, I believe I’m going to be too much in all areas for Manny,” Hatton said. “I couldn’t be any more positive about the outcome.”
$12M for Manny; $8 for Ricky
Pacquiao will take home $12 million from the bout while Hatton is set for an $8 million payday. Pay-per-view income alone for the megafight is expected to be at least $40 million.
Well aware of the challenge Hatton presents, Pacquiao said he has never trained harder for a fight in his career.
“Ricky Hatton is a different fighter from what I have fought before,” said Pacquiao. “I expect him to be fast and strong. It’s going to be a hard fight.”
“His style is to come at you and throw a lot of punches. He has a strong left hand. I have to take care of that and focus on that.”
Hatton is very familiar with Pacquiao’s elusive footwork and ability to connect quickly and often.
Adjusting to fight style
“I don’t see a versatile fight in Manny Pacquiao. You can adjust to his style,” Hatton said.
“I know what Manny will be up to. He’s very effective at what he does but he fights the same way all the time. He throws a right jab, a one-two. He has a tricky shuffle, backs up and comes in, then makes you fall short.”
Knowing Pacquiao and stopping him, however, are different things.
“I don’t want to change my style. I just want to apply some techniques to improve my style,” Pacquiao said. “I believe I’m improving.”
Pacquiao figures to have a speed advantage while the larger Hatton should have an edge in power. Both boxers have a hard-punching, aggressive style that is expected to make this among the year’s best fights.
Heavier isn’t stronger
“Being heavier doesn’t make you stronger. I have the stronger fighter. I guarantee it,” Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. “He comes to fight. He likes to exchange. Manny is a machine. He’s in great shape.”
Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., has worked on defense and moves to make the “Hitman” more versatile.
“He had brute strength. I showed him how to box,” Mayweather said. “If he wants to box we’ll box. If he wants to brawl we will brawl. Whatever Manny wants to do, we’re definitely stronger. Ricky will definitely back him up.”
Hatton’s drawing power has brought an estimated 15,000 supporters from Britain, a crowd expected to make Saturday’s atmosphere feel more like an English Premiership football match than a typical US fight night.
Pacquiao, a would-be politician who some see as a possible future Filipino president, was wished good luck by former US President Bill Clinton, who is staying in the same hotel, the Mandalay Bay.
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