Hatton and Pacquiao closing in on battle for boxing preeminence
Posted by: Evan YoungPosted on: April, 2009
Filipino dynamo Manny Pacquiao faces another big name opponent in Mancunian fireplug Ricky Hatton on May 2 at the MGM Grand Hotel,
Pacquiao, after all, is coming off a one sided thrashing of the once vaunted Golden Boy, Oscar de la Hoya and has become quite well known because of that win. Both fighters are immensely popular and the winner of this contest will have a chance at an eight figure payday in a subsequent bout.
After the one sided 8 round beating Pacquiao dished out to the Golden Boy he apologized to Oscar and said he (Oscar) was still his idol. I’d hate to imagine if he had little regard for him? But that’s Pacquiao, he is a little buzzsaw of a warrior in the ring but he is a humble and gracious sort when the fight is over.
And Hatton is also an ebullient, likeable chap. He’s a regular bloke that pounds the suds and loves the practical joke. But in the ring, he is also as serious as a heart attack. And his opponent’s better be as well or they will surely suffer through a brutal and painful night.
But there is a lot on the line in this bout as Pacquiao brings his status as the world’s pound for pound best fighter into the ring against Hatton, who has never lost at 140 pounds and is still the king of the hill in that division.
And keep in mind that this will only be Pacquiao’s 2nd fought at 140 or above, he turned pro at 106 pounds, and that Hatton has been at 140 for nearly a dozen years.
Based on the boxing forums and articles I’ve read on many boxing sites it seems both fighters have many supporters. Many people see Hatton as the naturally bigger and stronger man and believe that he will be able to impose his will on Pacquiao. It goes to reason that many of those folks are looking at Pacquiao’s win over de la Hoya as somewhat of a mirage as the Golden Boy sizzled himself by cutting weight improperly, thus entering that fight as a shell. And aficionados know that with the exception of Pacquiao’s last fight and a fight at 135 with David Diaz, Manny has been doing most of his recent work in the 130 pound range.
Hatton has had 2 forays at 147 where he eked out a debatable decision over capable lefty Luis Collazo and was game but outgunned in a bout with former number one, Floyd Mayweather Jr. In a strange twist Hatton joined forces with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. for his last bout against Paulie Malignaggi and performed very well. His speed surprised the slick Malignaggi and coupled with Hatton’s strength and intensity it was simply too much for the
And, naturally, some people are on Pacquiao’s bandwagon, believing he is too fast and good for Hatton. But the things is, both are quality fighters. Hatton fights like a brawler but he’s very fleet of foot, has a good jab and can cut off a ring on a boxer type and while Pacquiao is super quick, he’s also physically strong and will stand and brawl when the mood suits him.
My point is that these are quality fighters that share some qualities or at least can perform proficiently what the other is known for. Still, they do have their own styles unique to themselves. And we all want to know who’s brand of mayhem will carry the day.
There are many questions surrounding this fight. Will Hatton’s natural size and aggression be poison to Pacquiao’s lefty style? Is Pacquiao’s destruction of De la hoya given too much weight? Consider that Hatton will be the physically strongest opponent Pacquiao has ever seen and should put up much more resistance than the feeble de la Hoya did. Will Hatton simply be much stronger than Pacquiao and run him over? How will Pacquiao deal with the clinching, mauling and grappling that Hatton will bring into this bout? Will it wear him down? Will idiot savant trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. devise a plan for Hatton to cut down Pacquiao?
Will Hatton be troubled by Pacquiao’s recently found boxing ability and southpaw stance? Has Hatton been going to well for too long? He has had a long and grinding career and the possibility exists that the poundings and making 140 have taken a toll. Is diminutive Manny Pacquiao actually the physically stronger man? Will trainer Freddie Roach have a plan to play matador to Hatton’s bull like rushes? Which guy will have a better plan B if it becomes necessary in a crisis situation? What will this fight come down to? Strategy, will, skill or a combination of all.
I expect both men to be at their absolute best and as for height and weight they are almost like bookends, each about 5’6, 140 chiseled pounds with a similar reach. All these questions will be answered on May 2 and I can’t wait to find out. This is a compelling fight because of the magnitude of the bout and it should be a blazing fight fought with great pride, intensity and skill.
I will have a pick and a wager recommendation on this compelling fight within a week or two of the opening bell.
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