Pacquiao slams Hatton, who will be next?

Manny Pacquiao didn’t waste any time scoring a clean 2^nd round knockout over long time 140 pound king Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Casino, Las Vegas last Saturday night.

Hatton opened up in his usual aggressive style looking to make the ring very small  for Pacquiao. And while Hatton succeeded in getting close, he couldn’t land anything of consequence and found himself getting clipped in the opening seconds of the fight. Pacquiao’s shots already began marking up Hatton only a minute into the first round.

About halfway through the opening round Pacquiao landed a right hook just as he slipped under a Hatton left hand, dropping the Hitman on his hands and knees in the center of the ring. Hatton took an eight count and rose. He had some fight left in him - but not much.

The Pacman express was in full force as he began banging Hatton around the ring at will. Hatton had no answers to deal with the fierce Filipino and was pounded to the floor for a another knockdown seconds before the end of the round.

Hatton made it out for  the next round but his body language said it all in the corner as his previous confidence was now gone and he seemed visibly  distracted in the corner, barely taking in any words of wisdom from his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.

Hatton resumed the 2^nd round coming forward – what else was he going to do? Pacquiao didn’t appear too urgent considering that Hatton was ready to go at the end of round one.  But it didn’t matter. Pacquiao owned every part of what was happening in the ring and was beginning to ratchet things up by the second half of the round.

Pacquiao was like the tide, coming and going as he pleased while spearing Hatton with stinging combinations. With about 30 seconds left in round two Pacquiao slammed home a brutal right hook to Hatton’s body. Ricky felt that one and Pacquiao kept up the pressure. Then with about 5 seconds left in the round Pacquiao released a savage left cross that caught Hatton on the sweet spot of his chin. Lights out, game over. Hatton was out cold before he crashed to the floor. And crash he did as his head body and head bounced off the hard canvas with a thud.

This was as impressive a performance that Pacquiao has ever put together. Gone are the days of the whirlwind Filipino who was spectacularly talented but often off balance and wide open for counter punches.

Now he seems to instinctually know exactly what he should be doing in the ring. He knows when to slide in, when to turn and when to punch. And his balance is now excellent and as soon as his opponents leave any tiny opening, Pacquiao will reign in nasty combinations that leave his opponents grasping for answers.

It’s obvious to me that Pacquiao has done himself a great service by moving up in weight. Everything about him has improved with the weight gain. He’s not only fast but he’s extremely strong.  But he’s so quick and talented that he doesn’t have to grind much and makes things look so effortless and natural.

It’s incredible when you think back to when before Pacquiao fought de la Hoya and how most dismissed that as a ridiculous mismatch. But that turned out to be the best career move Pacquiao could make. Not only did that win set him up as being boxing’s cash cow but it’s allowed him to prove that he is indeed boxing’s best pound for pound fighter.

Many thought the de la Hoya win was a fluke and wanted to see how he’d fare against a very hard man like Hatton that had never come close to losing as a light welterweight. But I think this fight makes the de la Hoya win look more legitimate as Pacquiao handled a highly regarded Hatton even easier than Oscar.

De la Hoya said he was in good shape and felt good for the fight but Pacquiao has a way making his opponents feel as if they did everything wrong once they have spent a few minutes alone with him.

And fighting him now will be a tall order for anyone.  He’s hard to hit, he has blazing hand speed, he can move, he takes a good shot, he’s very strong and he always seems to have a great game plan.

He and trainer Freddy Roach go together like bread and butter. There is a mutual respect there and Roach has to be considered the top trainer in the game – he certainly is with Pacquiao.

So what does Pacquiao do next? Whatever he wants. He is the money man now so it shouldn’t be too hard getting opponents in the ring with him. And it’s an exciting time because there is some excellent young blood ( see Tim Bradley and Victor Ortiz) in the 140 pound division.

But while Pacquiao seems to be just peaking now, he has been a pro for 15 years.  I imagine his team will  probably be looking for mega fights although I’m certain Pacquiao would be willing to face anyone in the ring. We’ll see what happens. There is already talks of Pacquiao getting together with Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto and of course returning Floyd Mayweather Jr.

I say bring them on.  They are all compelling fights and I’m not sure he’d be favored against any of these fighters. But I can tell you this, I have NEVER picked against Manny Pacquiao and I don’t see that changing in the foreseeable future.

As for Hatton, he’s been a terrific warrior and has had a hugely successful career. I wish him the best and think it’s time for him to move on from the ring. He was a great character  in the game and brought much to the sport and always gave it everything he had. He got everything, and then some, he could hope to get from his body over the years. Just a suggestion for Hatton in retirement – eat well and continue to work out or he’ll soon resemble a Ricky Hatton parade float.