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Gambo: No one can beat Pac Man right now

2009-05-04T17:04:00.000-07:00

Like many boxing fans I plucked down the $60 bucks on Saturday night to get the Manny Pacquiao - Ricky Hatton fight. And like many I fully expected a competitive fight between two great fighters. But what transpired was another butt whupping at the hands of Pacquiao.

Now, I know a thing or two about boxing, having managed a couple of world champions. And I can honestly say that Pacquiao is one of the best I have ever seen. Despite his diminutive size he is as complete a fighter as there has been in the sport in decades.

I don't believe I have seen a fighter this good since Julio Cesar Chavez was in his prime. The night that Chavez took out Edwin Rosario was the night I became a big Chavez fan. But it has taken me time to warm up to Pacquiao. I have picked against him several times always siding with the bigger fighter. Even after he demolished Oscar De la Hoya I still doubted that he would be able to overwhelm a tough power puncher in Hatton. But the fight was no contest. It was over before it started.

Did I get my money's worth -- absolutely. I watched two rounds, three knockdowns and a clinic put on by the Filipino.

As I watched the fight over and over (tivo) I tried to comprehend what makes Pacquiao so special. There is not one answer.

He is short and his punches are compact not looping, giving him the power. He has power in both hands -- which is extremely rare for a fighter. His defense is outstanding as he uses his short stature to his advantage by ducking under jabs and straight right hands. His timing is impeccable as he counters as good as anyone I have ever seen. His speed is tremendous -- allowing him to hit his target square off the counter punch. Pacquiao has great ring generalship as he controls the center of the ring and forces his opponent to fight while moving backwards. And to be a great fighter you have to have solid footwork. Watching Pacquiao plant his right foot right in between Hatton's two legs and fire away gives him total control of his body. He is never off center, never out of position and never caught off guard.

After watching Pacquiao's performance Saturday night I have to wonder just what the heck Floyd Mayweather Jr. is thinking in coming out of retirement. It is inevitable that Mayweather will end up fighting Pacquiao, he can't come back and duck him. And when he fights him I can't see how -- even as good as Mayweather is -- he can beat this man.

All boxers have a hard time saying goodbye to the sport, especially when there is more money to be made. So Mayweather will come back win a fight or two and then cash in on what will become one of the biggest marquee fights of all time when he challenges Pacquiao.

In his last two fights the Filipino has retired De la Hoya and now likely Hatton as he contemplating hanging up the gloves. He will do the same to Mayweather -- this time for good. Mayweather may see $$$ but he will be seeing **** if he gets in the ring with the best pound for pound fighter in the world.

If I was advising Mayweather I would tell him to stay retired. The fight fan wants to see the bout in the worst way and Mayweather can seal his legacy as one of the best ever if he defeats Pacquiao. But I just don't see it happening. And a loss, especially if it is by knockout, will tarnish the Mayweather legacy to some degree. So stay retired Floyd, because right now no one can beat Pac Man.

Source: http://ktar.com/?sid=1149552&nid=624

Heartbroken Hatton lost for words in Las Vegas

2009-05-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

The fastest mouth in boxing stayed tightly shut on Monday as Ricky Hatton peered through the fog of his concussion and saw the unwanted spectre of a future outside the ring.

No snappy one-liners. No quickfire claims to an exalted place in the pantheon of British prizefighting. Not after being rendered senseless by Manny Pacquiao and hurried to hospital for brain scans.

The Hitman who feared no man inside the ropes could not confront the reality of his high-octane career approaching its end.

Hatton had spent months in denial after his first defeat, at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jnr. The referee that night, Joe Cortez, was tortuously rationalised as the culprit, even though Manchester’s pride and joy was outclassed en route to that knockout.

But there is no talking his way out of Saturday night’s two-round slaughter in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, so he said nothing.

Defeat is the loneliest of all the isolated places in the solitary sport of boxing but it is unusual for a leading practitioner not to emerge after a night of combat, win or lose.

Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Prince Naseem Hamed et al came out to face their public after being knocked out.

Hatton could argue Pacquiao’s lightning fists had said it all. Yet by declining to explain himself to the world’s media he effectively refused to speak to the thousands of fans who journeyed here in support of what became his last shot at boxing’s mythical pound-for-pound crown.

Perhaps there is a commercial edge to his silence. Gareth Williams, the lawyer who is chief executive of Hatton Promotions, indicated that the Hitman will at their new state-of-the-art gymnasium in Hyde, Greater Manchester two weeks from now.

But will the world still be listening?

The unspoken message suggests he knows that his fighting days are over but cannot bring himself to admit it.

Thankfully, the medics pronounced his brain free from permanent damage after one of the most profound knockouts in boxing history. The state of his mind is another matter.

He was well enough to host a pool party in the VIP swimming area at the MGM but not ready to discuss the weighty implications of being pounded into oblivion by the Filipino idol who is the greatest fighter in the world today. Hatton will never boast that accolade and the IBO and Ring Magazine belts of his four-year light-welterweight dominance have gone with it.

Of themselves, those titles were marginal but their loss leaves Nottingham’s Carl Froch as Britain’s only current world champion following his dramatic late stoppage of America’s Jermain Taylor in Connecticut the Saturday before the Hitman bit the dust in the Nevada desert.

We must wait to find out exactly how Hatton feels about that, but by the time we do, attention will be turning to David Haye and Amir Khan as they ready themselves to challenge Wladimir Klitschko and Andreas Kotelnik for their respective heavyweight and lightwelter world championships.

Pacquiao has recharged the hard old game with box-office excitement.

Mercifully, unless he commits the folly of ignoring the mother of all warnings he has been given here, boxing leaves Hatton with his faculties apparently intact.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1177233/JEFF-POWELL-Heartbroken-Hatton-lost-words-Las-Vegas.html

TRIUMPH OF THE CLEAN AND THE MEEK

2009-05-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

Clearly, Ricky Hatton intended to clinch, hold and roughhouse all night long had he not been flattened early.

If indeed there was a new and improved Hatton he and his trainer Floyd Mayweather, Sr. crowed about, there was not even a glimpse of it. What we saw was a confused and crude brawler who would sneak a right shot to the belly while his left arm seized Pacquiao’s neck or right arm.

Against Pacquiao, Hatton was clearly the glorified club fighter some critics derided him to be. In fact, he certainly looked much more respectable against the slippery Pretty Boy Floyd whom he could not manhandle the way he did Jose Luis Castillo. It was with the latter on whom Hatton had probably the greatest success with his formula of wrestling, pushing, holding and banging away. Rattled very early by Pacquaio’s bombs, the Mancunian brawler could not show any of the improvements he and his trainer claimed he has acquired in camp. Abundantly fed illusions by his trainer that he “can beat this guy everyday of the week”, he seemed unaware of the fact known to millions: if Pacquiao were a warplane, one could say he has flown the most dangerous sorties dropping hundreds of smart bombs right on target.

Confronting such lethal precision, Hatton couldn’t fight dirty as much as he wanted using mixed martial arts techniques of pushing, wrestling and holding which are part of his dubious arsenal. To the eternal credit of referee Kenny Bayless, Hatton’s dirty tricks department was on check, forcing him ,most of the time, to observe the standard of clean fighting set by the Filipino pound for pound king. Stripped of his dirty tricks long passed on as boxing skills, his severe limitations were exposed. He walked directly into the line of fire, had a porous defense and had no Plan B. These are limitations which a rowdy, boisterous hordes of beer guzzling supporters cannot compensate for.

Publicly, unlike his cocky trainer, Hatton showed respect towards Pacquiao and the Filipinos. The disrespect, however, was reserved in the ring because it was part of the battle plan and because he knew of no other way to fight despite professing to be a “new fighter who can box and will shock the world” or words to that effect.

True enough, as Freddie Roach proclaimed, it would be too late to change Ricky Hatton. After he gets hit, the sober minded Freddie would say, Hatton would inevitably revert to his old habit of brawling, pushing, wrestling. Against the clean fighting Filipino, the Briton’s roughhousing tactics became pretty obvious albeit controlled.

Fortunately, the fans didn’t have to endure seeing these tactics for more than six minutes. Unfortunately, though, the fans had to endure Mayweather Sr.’s inane poetry, sheer arrogance and insensitivity for weeks. His crazy antics continued even after the fight, putting all the blame on his fighter and insisting he is a better than “joke coach Roach”.

Fittingly, the clean (Pacquiao) and the meek (Roach) triumphed in this fight to inherit the earth – even if it is just the fleeting world of fame, fortune and now, bigger prizes. Not very bad, isn’t it?

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-24135.html

Manny in the money after Las Vegas win

2009-05-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

The Filipino knocked out the plucky but outclassed Briton in Las Vegas on Saturday night -- earning him by a conservative estimate at least $2 million dollars per minute.

Hatton, who could well now hang up his gloves, will pocket more than $8 million as a consolation.

Pacquiao's all-action style is popular with boxing followers and in his native Philippines the theaters which screened his fight live with Hatton were sold out well in advance with a ferocious demand for tickets.

But the really big money lies in the Pay Per View (PPV) revenues generated by the U.S. Home Box Office (HBO) network.

USA Today reported Monday that early indications from cable companies were that the scheduled 12-round light-welterweight bout could get as many as two million buys.

Co-promoter Bob Arum was delighted with the figures especially as initial estimates were suggesting about one million boxing fans would shell out their cash.

"We know based on those early numbers and based on experience the event will perform extremely well. If I had to guess, anywhere between 1.6 million and two million homes, which is a home run," he said.

The record for a PPV event is the 2.4 million buys for 'Golden Boy' Oscar De La Hoya's May 2007 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., which generated a staggering $134 million in revenue.

Mayweather, who also beat Hatton in another 'superfight' at the back end of 2007, astutely chose Saturday night in Vegas to announce he was coming out of retirement.

Mayweather, nicknamed 'money' because of the enormous revenues he generates, will face Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18 in his return to the ring.

But the talk of the boxing world is an eventual match up against Pacquiao with the notional pound for pound title at stake as well as a massive pay day.

"If Mayweather wants a piece of the 'little Filipino', just be my guest," Arum said before the dust had barely settled on the Hatton fight.

With the flamboyant De La Hoya retired after being handed a painful beating by Pacquiao at the back end of 2008, the mantle of PPV king is set to fall to one of the two men who ended his ring career.

Despite the global recession, the appetite for top prize fighting remains strong, but it is the more flamboyant characters who draw the biggest audiences.

Last November's HBO clash between former pound for pound champion Roy Jones Jr. and the brilliant undefeated Welsh world champion Joe Calzaghe drew less than 250,000 buys.

The only potential obstacle to a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout, the dangerous Marquez aside, is the relative sizes of the two men.

Mayweather is a natural welterweight and would want a fight at 147 pounds, with Pacquiao, who started his remarkable career at light-flyweight, wanting the match at a lower weight.

But big business and money is set to talk and many predict the showdown will come late this year, almost certainly in Las Vegas.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/05/04/manny.money/?iref=hpmostpop

Hatton camp hits back at Mayweather comments

2009-05-04T17:00:00.002-07:00

Ricky Hatton and trainer Floyd Mayweather could part ways, according to Hatton Promotions chief executive Gareth Williams.

The British fighter was brutally knocked-out by Manny Pacquiao in their IBO light-welterweight clash on Saturday night. Reports pointed to unrest in the Hatton camp, especially between Mayweather and assistant trainer Lee Beard, as one of the reasons why Hatton was so easily beaten.

"It's an interesting point but the one person to blame is Pacquiao," Hatton Promotions chief executive Gareth Williams said.

"Lee's a lot more involved with Ricky Hatton than Floyd Mayweather is. Floyd Mayweather was brought in for 12 weeks to do a job and that's the end of it. "

Mayweather said afterwards that Hatton had failed listen to his instruction to keep his hands up and that's why he lost. The trainer was also quoted as saying that Hatton should retire now, but Williams hit back by saying it wasn't Mayweather's place to say what Hatton should do and hinted their link-up could be over.

Williams said: "He's (Mayweather) finished now and we don't know what's going to happen. Lee Beard's with Hatton Promotions 365 days a year, Floyd Mayweather's there for 12 weeks before a fight and that's the difference."

Meanwhile, Hatton himself apologised to his legion of fans, who had travelled from Britain to witness the second round loss and held a poolside party for them at the MGM Grand Hotel.

Source: http://www.inthenews.co.uk/sports/sport/general-sport/hatton-camp-hits-back-at-mayweather-comments-$1292949.htm

Pacquiao gunning for sixth world title at welterweight

2009-05-04T17:00:00.001-07:00

LAS VEGAS: Manny Pacquiao achieved a measure of boxing immortality with his sensational victories against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, two of the best and most popular fighters of their generation.

Now, he wants to solidify that legacy, aiming for a record sixth world title at welterweight, possibly against Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather Jr., or even Shane Mosley.

“No, I don’t think they’re really big for me,” he said of his potential opponents during a conversation with a small group of Filipino journalist during the long drive from here to Hollywood, California.

“Actually, I feel good at my weight against Hatton,” said Pacquiao, who won his fifth world title at junior welterweight, with a devastating second round knockout of Hatton on Saturday night. “I can fight at welter, because I’ve done it before against Oscar De La Hoya.”

He added that he would fight Juan Manuel Marquez again, should he win against come-backing Mayweather in their July 18 fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, PacMan to his legion of fans worldwide, said he would take his family to a holiday in Australia by the end of May, after spending time with his children in the Philippines who were unable to join him and wife Jinkee for his last fight.

‘Lethal Weapon’

Pacquiao earned the accolades of top boxing scribes following his Saturday win over Hatton, which was described as his most dominant win since campaigning in different weight classes in the United States.

“Manny Pacquiao can no longer be identified as a boxer. Lethal weapon, maybe. Or destroyer missile,” said Los Angeles Times’ Bill Dwire. “Whatever the definition, he is unquestionably the sport’s top gun.”

“The man from Manchester was manhandled,” said Dwire, a veteran sports pundit.

The Ring Magazine’s Michael Rosenthal said PacMan’s amazing run of victories, especially in the last few years, has earned him his place among the world’s all-time boxing greats.

“In his last fight, he embarrassed the biggest star in the sport, Oscar De La Hoya, at 147. And on Saturday … well, how do you describe that?” Rosenthal said.

“Ricky Hatton is one of the toughest fighters on the planet, an accomplished champion who has proved his mettle over a full decade. And 140 pounds is his natural weight; he is strong and confident there.

“And Pacquiao smashed him like a cheap glass vase.”

Likened to Sugar Ray Leonard

Rosenthal said Pacquiao could be the best fighter since Sugar Ray Leonard, adding this says as lot about the Filipino icon.

Other great fighters came after Leonard, including Pernell Whitaker, Roy Jones Jr., Julio Cesar Chavez, Evander Holyfield and a handful more, he said.

“However, none of the above combined explosive speed and power against the highest level of opposition over such a long period time like Pacquiao. And, obviously, he has won consistently: he’s 17-1-2 [14 knockouts] against some of the best fighters in the world since hiring Freddie Roach as his trainer in 2001,” Rosenthal said.

He noted that Bob Arum, who worked with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler and Leonard, thinks Pacquiao ranks among them.

“I think he may be the best,” said Bob Arum, who earlier said he is working on another Pacquiao megafight, possibly in the last quarter of the year.

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/may/05/yehey/sports/20090505spo1.html

Mismatch yet again

2009-05-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

Forgive me for playing boxing pundit again, but I think we could all be allowed more than a little bit of euphoria. Manny Pacquiao gave us Christmas in the middle of summer.

It’s really so good to be a Filipino when Manny wins. I know one Filipino who intentionally watched the Manny vs. Ricky Hatton fight in Nomads Club, an exclusive club tucked away inside Merville, Parañaque, that has more European, mostly British expatriate members than Filipino members. He was supremely confident of a Pacquiao victory and the boasting rights that go along with it. Of course, he wasn’t disappointed.

Freddie Roach was right all along. The loudmouth Floyd Mayweather Sr., can talk up the game all he wants, but as Roach said, he really had the better fighter. As it turned out, Pacquiao was way, way better. It was clearly a mismatch against Hatton in favor of the Filipino, just as it was when Pacquiao fought against Oscar De La Hoya.

They never gave Manny a chance against De La Hoya and he proved doubters wrong. Even when he won against the Golden Boy he didn’t get full credit. Hatton said Pacquiao won’t be fighting against a dehydrated De La Hoya this time. His trainer Mayweather said De La Hoya was over the hill when Pacquiao got to him. Mayweather didn’t consider for one second that it took his son Floyd Junior all of 12 rounds and a very controversial split decision to win against De La Hoya.

What they were saying was, it wasn’t just Pacquiao; that Manny’s opponents were just not at their best when they fought him (contrary to what Manny’s opponents were boasting all along before the fights).

It’s the same thing they said of Manny’s victories against Barrera and Morales. That Morales was dehydrated and had trouble making weight. That Barrera was too old. That Morales was too old. Excuses, excuses. They just couldn’t accept that Manny is that good, and is even getting better. But that is the solid truth—Manny was just the superior fighter.

All throughout, Manny, whether before or after his fights, made no empty boasts, and promised only to do his best and leave it all up to God. That’s why Filipinos and foreigners alike embrace Manny. He is the champion any country would like to have. He remains humble and God-fearing and treats his opponents with respect even after he demolishes them in the ring. He told De La Hoya, “You will always be my idol.” He gave Hatton credit for hitting him hard, and didn’t even mention that the British boxer was playing dirty by holding him and hitting him at the same time.

Manny does his talking on the ring and exacts his revenge through his victories. And it’s sweeter that way.

Watching the Pacquiao-Hatton 24-7 on the eve of the fight made by blood boil, I tell you. Hatton and Mayweather never gave Manny one ounce of respect. They called him an amateur among many other things. Never have I prayed for an overwhelming Pacquiao victory, one that would shut up critics once and for all.

Just remember that Floyd Mayweather Junior, that other loudmouth who is just like his father, who hit and ran away from De La Hoya, had trouble against Hatton and only got to him by the 10th round. But against Pacquiao, Hatton never stood a chance; he never hurt Manny, and went down in two rounds.

Who is left for Manny Pacquiao? So he retired the great Erik Morales. He retired the great Marco Antonio Barrera. The third part of that legendary Mexican triumvirate, Juan Manuel Marquez, he beat twice. He retired Oscar De La Hoya. Now, we hear people saying Ricky Hatton should call it quits too after that vicious head blow from Manny.

Manny Pacquiao is now not only the pound-for-pound king. People are saying he could very well be the greatest boxer ever, a title which once belonged only to the revered Muhammad Ali, who had none of Pacquiao’s humility during his prime.

Manny deserves all the accolades. I wish him the best. Most of all, I wish that he can retire in his prime, like I mentioned in a previous column. I don’t like him to retire a defeated fighter like his opponents. I don’t want him to retire hurt. Of course, he gives us so much joy and enormous pride when he’s fighting, but I still don’t want him fighting too long, long enough for father time to catch up with him. I want him to be able retire a champion, on his own terms, and at his best.

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/may/05/yehey/opinion/20090505opi2.html

Updated Pound-For-Pound List, After Two Months Of Moving And Shaking

2009-05-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

Did you hear the one about how Floyd Mayweather, Jr. thinks he gets to retain his title as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, that is, the best fighter in the world regardless of weight division? "I am the king and no one has taken my crown," he said Saturday afternoon as he announced his unretirement.

BWAHAHAHA. Good one, Floyd. You crack me up. I know you were bowling Saturday night so you didn't see what Manny Pacquiao did to your former opponent Ricky Hatton, but your joke was a heckuva lot funnier retroactively because of Pacquiao-Hatton.

So I think we all know who the reigning king is. But it's been two months since I updated my top 20, and a good deal has happened since then.

My criteria focus heavily on track record against quality competition, with an emphasis on recent competition. For a lengthier explanation of those criteria, click here; one year of inactivity, for instance, will result in removal from the list, which explains the absense of the otherwise top-10-worthy Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez. For our last update, click here.

1. Manny Pacquiao (junior welterweight): Mayweather doesn't qualify even though he's unretired now because of his own inactivity. But even if he has a successful return in his July fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, he hasn't accomplished as much as Pacquiao and won't take back his "crown." Pacquiao stomped Mayweather's last two opponents, Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya, with ease, even though each gave Mayweather a little static. Pacquiao has already beaten Marquez, and he did it without asking Marquez to move between seven and 12 pounds beyond any weight he's ever fought at, the way Mayweather has arranged. And Pacquiao has beaten Marco Antonio Barrera and Eric Morales multiple times, both opponents that trump Mayweather's other best wins, over Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo.

2. Juan Manuel Marquez (lightweight): Some made an argument for Marquez at #1 after he beat Juan Diaz, and though I disagreed, it wasn't crazy. Marquez' wins over Diaz and Joel Casamayor, plus his arguable win over Pacquiao in early 2008, trumped Pacquiao's win over David Diaz and De La Hoya. With Pacquiao's demolition of Hatton, the argument holds significantly less water. But if Marquez upsets Mayweather? I'd put him at #1. Those are serious strategic advantages he'd have to overcome, and he'd be beating the next most recent pound-for-pound king. Strangely, though, there's some speculation out there this fight won't happen. De La Hoya said at the news conference Saturday that the fight would be at 143 lbs. Mayweather and his team, though, kept calling it a welterweight fight and wouldn't comment on the weight limit. Golden Boy's CEO then said it was 144 "max." Apparently we'll be getting a news release on this soon. But it is more than a little sloppy that the weight isn't settled yet, and more than a little crucial to Marquez' chances of winning.

3. Bernard Hopkins (light heavyweight): Hopkins isn't retired yet, but he sure is cornering himself career-wise. First he said he wanted a rematch with Joe Calzaghe. Calzaghe is retired and said he wouldn't give Hopkins a rematch anyway. Then he said he would be interested in fighting cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek, but he proceeded to lowball Adamek during negotiations to such a degree that negotiations broke off. He says he won't fight Chad Dawson, his most viable opponent at light heavyweight, and now he's talking about fighting super middleweight Carl Froch in a fight that is a long drop from Calzaghe, Adamek and Dawson, in both money and quality of opposition. But he's obviously still a vital boxer, judging by the evidence from his October defeat of Kelly Pavlik. He just can't move up if he's not fighting, and he risks being passed if he doesn't fight soon or doesn't fight top opponents.

4. Shane Mosley (welterweight): Mosley has an outside chance of getting a shot at Pacquiao, which would obviously enhance his opportunties to move up this list. It goes like this: Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum says he wants to match Pacquiao with Miguel Cotto by December. But Cotto could lose his fight next month with Joshua Clottey. Since Arum is insisting (be it negotiating gamesmanship or not) that Pacquiao deserves the biggest cut of dough against Mayweather, something Mayweather is unlikely to agree to, if Cotto's off the table, the next most viable opponent is Mosley. But if Mosley doesn't get Pacquiao, he also might end up as Mayweather's post-Marquez opponent. That, too, would give Mosley a chance to ascend this list. Since Mosley doesn't want Paul Williams, and a Cotto rematch looks unlikely for monetary reasons, there's also a chance Mosley won't be left with many options if he doesn't strike gold with Mayweather or Pacquiao.

5. Paul Williams (junior middleweight): For the life of me, I can't figure out why Ring magazine is STILL skeptical of Williams, who's not even in their pound-for-pound top 10. Before his layoff, Winky Wright was pound-for-pound top-10, and Williams absolutely blanked him last month, even though Wright fought pretty well. On the other hand, there are people arguing that Williams might be #1, and I think that's too far, although I see the case -- he's clearly an excellent fighter who it's hard to imagine anyone beating. His problem with moving up is the same as always, which is that other boxers avoid him like the plague. His risk/reward ratio is just too unfavorable. He's even talking about moving up to super middleweight to find fights. So far, nobody is biting, be it Mosley, Pavlik, Hopkins or anyone else. His most favorable scenario for a big, meaningful fight is if Clottey beats Cotto, because Clottey does want Williams, almost unique among fighters with name recognition.

6. Miguel Cotto (welterweight): As mentioned, Cotto figures into some big potential fights (Pacquiao, Mosley, etc.) if he gets past Clottey, and getting past Clottey -- quite the avoided, dangerous opponent himself -- would likely do him some good in my pound-for-pound standings.

7. Ivan Calderon (junior flyweight): Calderon has a decent test against Rodel Mayol on the Cotto-Clottey undercard, but it's probably not enough to leap upward if he wins. A mega-little-man-fight with Brian Viloria, which is likely afterward, judging by the talk from both sides? That would do the trick.

8. Vic Darchinyan (bantamweight): Darchinyan's stepping up to another weight class to fight Joseph Agbeko in July, a dangerous brawler and an attractive match-up. Darchinyan would move up a spot, I think, if he wins (although Dawson may pass him by then). I said before I wasn't sure beating Abeko would. I'm thinking now that it would.

9. Chad Dawson (light heavyweight): Dawson is the first person on my list to shift upward by the departure of Hatton, who drops from the list entirely because he was borderline top-10 at best and got destroyed in a way that raises questions about his future. Repeating his defeat of Antonio Tarver this weekend might shift him up one more. Let's see how it goes.

10. Kelly Pavlik (middleweight): Pavlik's only loss remains to Hopkins, and his last fight was against a top-10 middleweight whom he beat with ease. Beating Sergio Mora in June gets him virtually nothing, but a tentative agreement for a super fight with Arthur Abraham offers him plenty.

11. Nate Campbell (junior welterweight): Campbell is slightly higher here than I'm comfortable with, because I thought he was lucky to get the win against Ali Funeka. I can't figure out who he fights next, though.

12. Tomasz Adamek (cruiserweight): If only he had got that shot at Hopkins. He would have lost, probably, but if he had won, look out. Instead, he's now likely to fight a non-status-enhancing opponent like Matt Godfrey. Still, he might be underrated by some.

13. Chris John (featherweight): A healthy John, in a neutral location this time, is likely to beat Rocky Juarez more soundly than he did a couple months back. Look for John to inch up come June. I know some don't like him, but I'm sold on his abilities.

14. Nonito Donaire (flyweight): Donaire is my biggest climber. He recently sliced through Roman Martinez, an opponent expected to give him a tough go, and that Darchinyan win looks better all the time. If he gets and beats Fernando Montiel, he's top 10.

15. Wladimir Klitschko (heavyweight): I hate that Klitschko keeps holding on to a spot this high, but he keeps benefiting from others' missteps, like Jermain Taylor's departure. At least a June win over David Haye, if he can do it, offers him some positive arguments for staying put.

16. Arthur Abraham (middleweight): A talked-about fight against Giovanni Lorenzo this summer is more of Abraham spinning his wheels. Talent-wise, he's got the look of a top-10 p4p boxer, but absent a marquee win, such as over Pavlik, he hasn't proven it.

17. Celestino Caballero (junior featherweight): His recent shaky win -- some thought he lost -- against a relatively unknown opponent justifies, I think, Caballero being this low, rather than top 10 like Ring has him. Yuriorkis Gamboa, up next, offers chances for a modest increase.

18. Mikkel Kessler (super middleweight): Like Abraham, he's got it all talent-wise, but his level of competition recently and prospectively is so terrible he hasn't been able to rebound ranking-wise following a forgivable setback against Calzaghe.

19. Juan Manuel Lopez (junior featherweight): His beatdown of Gerry Penalosa two weekends ago debuts him in the top 20. Others have better top wins than Penalosa and Daniel Ponce De Leon, but Lopez' talent makes me think he's a p4p #1 man some day.

20. Fernando Montiel (bantamweight): Montiel debuts for no reason byond others dropping off, and I'm not convinced he's worthy quite yet. I don't know how much beating Eric Morel next month helps him substantially, but if he beats Donaire next, that would.

Hanging around: Floyd Mayweather, Jr.; Israel Vazquez; Rafael Marquez; Vitali Klitschko; David Haye; Hozumi Hasegawa; Glen Johnson; Ricky Hatton; Roman Gonzalez; Joan Guzman

(As always, I'm interested in everyone else's lists, too. So drop them in the comments section if you wanna.)

Source: http://queensberry-rules.com/2009/05/updated-pound-for-pound-list-after-two-months-of-moving-and-shaking.html

Freddie Roach Says He Thinks Floyd Mayweather Jr Is Scared Of Manny Pacquiao

2009-05-04T16:56:00.001-07:00

by James Slater - Will he or won't he? That's the question fight fans the world over are currently asking themselves when it comes to whether or not Floyd Mayweather Junior will fight the quite awesome Manny Pacquiao. In training for his next fight - a "comeback" affair against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez - "Money" is under immense pressure to fight the lethal Filipino southpaw after that (assuming he beats Marquez, naturally).

Calling himself the greatest fighter of his era, if not of all-time, the unbeaten 32-year-old will not be able to go anywhere without someone or other asking him, 'when you gonna fight Pacquiao, Floyd?' This is almost certainly going to jar the multi-weight champ's pride, but will it jar it enough to make him take what could well be the most exciting and important fight of this decade..

Right now the most talked about and thrilling fighter in all of boxing, Pacquiao and his team are in the driving seat and are in a fine position to be able to call the shots.

Speaking to Ring magazine, trainer Roach made it clear whoever wants to fight "Pac-Man" will have to do so at 140-pounds, as this is the weight Manny feels most formidable at today. A few additional pounds aside - maybe 143 or 144 - Pacquiao will not look to box any higher, says Roach.

"You know what, we fight at 140," Roach told Ring. "These guys are going to have to meet us in the middle somewhere. Everyone wants to fight Manny Pacquiao now. He'll make you money."

Being more specific about the guys that want to fight Pacquiao next, Roach mentioned the Mayweather-Marquez winner from July, Miguel Cotto and reigning WBA welterweight king "Sugar" Shane Mosley.

"Mayweather could've fought Manny (in his comeback fight)," Roach said. "He just had to wait one day. I think he's scared of Manny..... We're not going to wait around. I want to keep Manny busy. A busy fighter is a good fighter. I'd like [him[ to fight in November or December.

"If Cotto wants to come down a few pounds, we can make that happen. If Shane Mosley wants to come down a few pounds, we can make that happen."

Either of the possible fights Roach mentioned would be hugely attractive match-ups, but it is the Mayweather fight everyone really wants to see. Freddie admitted to Ring that Mayweather's style would perhaps give Pacquiao some trouble.

"That's a style that would give Manny some trouble," Freddie said of Mayweather's boxing style. "Manny likes when guys come to him. He used to be just aggressive but now he's a good counter-puncher. He could do both, though. Mayweather would pose problems. But if Mayweather laid on the ropes, Manny would beat the shit out of him."

With Roach also claiming Pacquiao is now a more complete fighter than he was even as recently as the second fight with Marquez, the superb little fighter who has an entire country in his corner clearly represents Mayweather Junior with his greatest challenge.

Source: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=19693&more=1

Mayweather's garbage turns Pacquiao into Sir Laughalot

2009-05-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

“I beat fighters and turn them into bitches. They go out and put on fish nets. That’s what I do.”—FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. MARKING HIS OFFICIAL RETURN TO THE RING.

I wasn't aware but I am now that Floyd Mayweather Jr. had fought so many transvestites, so many cross dressers.

Not that there is anything wrong with getting in touch with one's frilly, feminine fun side of course.

I am a libertarian when it comes to such kinky amusement although I have never worn any pumps or thongs, I must admit. But, what the hey, Erin go bra less and like that.

I wasn’t there for these comments, having been banned in Las Vegas by some Nervous Nellies in the Ricky Hatton camp if you can call that a camp.

Yes, it is that, something like a Girl Scout camp watching its cookies crumble.

So I am not sure if Mayweather’s garbage, I refuse to call it simple trash talk because this is toxic waste, was put out directly to the face of Oscar De La Hoya. If Oscar does not call Mayweather on this, privately if not publicly, then I hate to say it but Oskie Dolla Hoya is a rhymes with so rich.

And what of ODLH henchman Richie Rich Schaefer? Did he laugh, guffaw and slap his knees at this riotous remark by PBF? There is a lot more Gordon Gecko than Tex Rickard coursing through the veins of the Boxing Banker.

He makes Snidely Whiplash seem like a kindly soul at times and this had to be one of those times.

You see, the Goldens are playing a game with the Mayweather/Juan Manuel Marquez fight of July 18. It’s the old good cop (Oscar)/bad cop (Schaefer) routine as they each pretend to totally support one of the two fighters when the only real thing they fully support is the GBP bottom line. When Schaefer speaks we are all supposed to say, "Bad cop, no donut!"

In my case, it's more like, "Bad writer, no press pass!"

Now I suppose I am banned from that show as well. Oh, the price of the truth sometimes runs high but I’m not shutting up or shutting down for any boys, Golden or Tinsel varieties.

Exactly who does Mayweather, who one inflamed source tells me, has to give his entire purse (perhaps about $10 million) over to his friendly IRS tax bill collectors, think is scared by the sound of his silly wolf tickets?

Juan Ma isn’t listening to it unless PBF suddenly starts doing some habla espanol. He can wear a MAYWEATHER LOVES MEXICO robe and a nifty sombrero but I don’t Mayweather studying at Berlitz or using the Rosetta Stone course to learn the language any time soon, do you?

Hey, news flash to Floyd: Juan Ma no entiende su basura.

I do guarantee that such talk from a cat who had to go 10 rounds with Ricky Hatton as opposed to Manny’s two round blitzkrieg of the same punching bag from the UK will get an immediate and visceral reaction from the Ring King from Gensan.

Pacquiao will become Sir Laughalot when Mayweather starts talking his best Fitty Cent ghetto rap attack at the Pinoy Idol.

Mayweather may turn out to be unintentionally the funniest guy this side of Dave Chappelle.

Which reminds me of Chappelle’s wicked line about San Francisco’s gritty Tenderloin district, “There is nothing tender about that motherflyer!”

There was nothing tender about Hatton being cooked in about the same time it takes to properly make poached eggs.

Not that I mean any insult to my beloved poachie woachies, a breakfast dream. I mean, what is better in the morning than “Adam and Eve on a raft, don’t break ‘em?”

Actually, Richard John Hatton wasn’t really poached.

He looked more scrambled at the finish, I’d say.

Pacman turned the so-called Hitman into the Hurtman in quick order. Downtown Hiroshima did not go down as fast as the Mancunian idol did.

And that superlative, furious mission statement by Megamanny is why Mayweather’s b---- talk is hot air.

It’s sound minus fury and, to Manny Pacquiao the Smiling Warrior, it’s just another comedy act.

If Mayweather really thinks he will see a scared Megamanny wearing exotic women's lingerie, he is a truly sick puppy dog.

And, like a puppy dog, we already know that his b---- barking is worse than his Pitty Pat, Rat A Tat bite.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d4-Pretty-Boy-Mayweathers-garbage-comedy-routine-to-Manny-Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao screams: I can whip Floyd Mayweather Jr.

2009-05-04T16:54:00.002-07:00

Michael Marley's open letter to Manny Pacquiao:

Dear Manny:

It has come to my attention that I need to bring some things to your immediate attention. I do realize you were a little busy, particularly on Saturday night.

Why did you only batter Ricky Hatton for just five minutes 59 seconds, Megamanny?

Were you trying to get over to LA for a quick flight back to Manila?

How did your sainted mother enjoy her first trip to the US?

Please tell her the whole country is not as wild and whacky as Las Vegas.

I hear your religious Mom spent most of the fight on her knees. In that regard, she was just like the overwhelmed Hatton, eh? Your mother was praying and Hatton didn’t have one.

Listen, do not get upset by me calling you the Happy Hooker. It’s nothing tawdry but merely a reflection of your amazingly fast and powerful punches, which Paulie Malignaggi predicted would make Hatton look like a guy stuck in quicksand, and your smiling warrior persona.

I hear HBO is replaying this brief movie, "Bring Me The Head Of Richard John Hatton," this Saturday night in conunction with the proably abysmal Chad Dawson-Antonio Tarver rematch.

I’ve got some news flashes for you, Manny. I will go in reverse order of their importance as you begin settling back into your not training to kick someone’s butt regular life.

1. TIME MAGAZINE’S NEW POLL: You ranked high in their “Most Influential” poll but I think now they are going with a “Most Destructive” poll in which I predict you will finish off any challengers in about five minutes and 59 seconds.

2. DOS EQUIS BEER WANTS YOU NOW: The guys over at Dos Equis are more than a little peeved about how Tecate is taking a bid ride in boxing. Tecate, which came in through Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya, made those big beer cans with the pictures of you and Hatton on the side. Wow, what a Mexican-theme Cinco De Mayo gift for one and all. I can understand why, while standing strong with your beloved country, you might want to become a dual citizen and fly the red, white and blue flag also. Only in America could we have a big beer company pushing a Brit and a Pinoy fighter on a big Mexican holiday. Well, the reason I mention Dos Equis because I am hearing they are dropping the suave, sophisticated and debonair greybeard cat who they called “the Most Interesting Man in the World.” And now their focus is on landing the real, the genuine, the bonafide “Most Interesting Man in the World” as their commercial icon. If you don’t know who I am talking about yet, pal, just look into your nearest mirror. More moolah plus free cerveza for you. I guess this is the ultimate compliment from the Mexican people and I am sure this will steam up Juan Manuel Marquez endlessly.

3. COACH ROACH’S NEW PEDESTAL: Manny, my Boston homeboy might be brought into the Obama Administration as an international hot spot troubleshooter in his spare time. And why not since Coach Freddie seems to have a Midas touch in boxing. Everything he touches, turns to gold while everything Floyd Mayweather touches turns to dreck. “Pretty Daddy” has turned into a Reverse Midas. I say let’s just hail Trainer of Every Year Roach as this generation’s Angelo Dundee/Eddie Futch and be done with it. I will note, however, that you could have carried Hatton into the third round to make Freddie look even more precisely prescient, lol! If we had a Mt. Rushmore for fight trainers, Roach’s mug would be on it now.

4. FORMER KING HAS RETURNED: What the hell was the Golden Boy brain trust, and I use the phrase loosely, thinking by trotting out Pretty Boy Floyd and Juan Ma Saturday morning in Vegas when all the media carousers are still shaking off their Friday night hangovers? Bad timing, Goldens, as Manny went out and made a statement which screams: I CAN BEAT MAYWEATHER, I WILL BEAT MAYWEATHER, I AM THE RING KING AS LONG AS I SAY I AM. If you can hit PBF with some of those lightning and thunder combos you nailed Hatton with, Mayweather won't boxing trunks, he will need pajamas because he, too, will go to sleep.

5. MICHAEL MARLEY DON’T NEED NO STINKING BADGES: You probably never heard because you might have considered pulling out of the fight but some ribbon clerk on Team Hatton conspired with the Golden Boys to deny me, for the first time since Ali-Liston II in Lewiston circa 1965, a press credential. I know revenge is a dish best served cold. But my Irish temper—ask Coach Roach he can tell you about that—got the best of me. I rang up said ribbon clerk Sunday morning and suggested he put his credential, as Larry Holmes likes to say, “Where the sun don’t shine.” And I didn’t mean in the MGM Grand sports book, either. I’m not proud of this, Manny, and I will henceforth try to be a gracious, sportsmanlike winner just as you are.

Have a nice vacation, Champ. Marquez-Mayweather could be a somewhat interesting fight but, even if Pitty Pat Floyd Kos Juan Ma in two rounds or vice versa, your perch remains safe. The winner of that July 18 fight cannot possibly be The Man unless and until they beat The Man-ny.

As Frank Bruno used to say on TV to Harry Carpenter, “Know wot I mean, ‘Arry?”

Sincerely Yours, Your White Gorilla (say hello to your lawyer, “The Jackal”)

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d4-Manny-Pacquiao-screams-I-can-whip-Floyd-Mayweather-Jr

Hatton’s size, power, drum and bugle core not enough

2009-05-04T16:54:00.001-07:00

THE crowd was in a state of shock at the MGM Grand. The much-anticipated fight, dubbed “East vs. West,” certainly had the fireworks it was shaped to be. It’s ending, however, was not expected.

Drama unfolding

THE drama began several days earlier as supporters of both fighters slowly trickled into Las Vegas. The flights from Manila were extraordinarily full as Filipinos flew in to cheer Manny Pacquiao in his attempt to steal the International Boxing Organization light-welterweight belt from Ricky Hatton.

Walking around the Vegas strip show a marked increase in the number of Ricky Hatton supporters, some already beginning to air their loud support for their own boxing hero. Although Hatton held the belt, what was truly on the line was the question on who is the world’s best, pound-for-pound.

The weigh-in was an indication of how it was going to be like during the fight. The Brits brought in a drum and bugle core to guide them as they chanted, whistled and cheered to support their champion. They collectively created a thunder-like sound that to some may be the variable that provides Hatton the boost to beat Pacquiao.

The fight plan

AFTER the weigh-in, during separate talks, the respective trainers of the two boxers provided a glimpse of their game plan.

Freddie Roach intimated that all Pacquiao had to do was to implement what they practiced for. Their drills consistently included fighting from a distance, moving to his right and throwing well-timed right hooks. All these because they expected Hatton to keep on moving forward.

Floyd Mayweather Sr., on the other hand, shared that aside from Hatton’s size and strength, there will be a lot of head movements, fakes and feints. The intention was to derail Pacquiao’s rhythm and provide opportunities for Hatton to throw his left hooks to the body and head.

The “Hitman” promised his supporters, all 25,000 of them who flew in just to watch him, that he will not disappoint. He clearly predicted a win.

The “Pacman,” true to form, replied that only God knows what is to happen.

Manny the magnificent

THAT fateful day on May 2, 2009, Manny Pacquiao erased any doubt that he was the best there is. In only two short rounds, Pacquiao destroyed the bigger and stronger Hatton.

Surprisingly, there was no adjustment on the part of Hatton. There was a total disconnect between how he was fighting and what his trainer said he would do. The pride of Manchester pressed forward and, in typical Hatton style, began to bully Pacquiao.

On the other hand, because it was exactly what Roach and his team prepared for, Pacquiao began countering effectively with his right hook and left lead straights.

The crowd went wild. Then the unthinkable happened. Hatton was tagged by a short but powerful right hook coming in. The Hitman went down on all fours and opted to wait for the 8-count before standing up.

The cheering from the Brits suddenly died down as the Filipinos took over. Cheers and shouts filled the arena as clearly Pacquiao had the punch to finish Hatton.

Instead of holding back and collect his thoughts, Hatton continued his aggressive style. He kept moving forward, which turned out be to Pacquiao’s advantage. Pacquiao caught Hatton again this time with a left hand sending him down to the canvas a second time.

Everyone held their breath in anticipation during the break between the first and second rounds. The predominantly Hatton crowd continued to chant to keep their man in the fight. It was, as it turned out, not enough.

In the second round, the dominance in skill and style of Pacquiao began to surface. Hatton opted to continue attacking, hoping to land that big punch that would negate his dismal performance in the first round. Pacquiao calmly countered and waited for the perfect moment. That moment came in the last few seconds of the round. In typical Pacquiao fashion, his feared left hand connected flush on the face of his opponent. Hatton fell flat on his back and laid motionless. The fight was stopped 2:59 of round 2.

The Filipinos began to rejoice. Pandemonium broke loose. Hatton supporters were stunned.

The fight leaves no doubt who the best fighter is today. As it turned out, the fighter who planned well and trained harder came out the victor. Once again, a magnificent performance by Manny Pacquiao.

Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/9791-hattons-size-power-drum-and-bugle-core-not-enough.html

KO'D HATTON TOLD TO HANG UP GLOVES

2009-05-04T16:53:00.001-07:00

RICKY HATTON emerged from hospital here to a chorus of demands that he should quit boxing following his devastating second- round knockout by Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton required a brain scan after Filipino Pacquiao stunned him with two knockdowns in the first round and a chilling knockout in the second at the MGM Grand Arena.

Pacquiao’s highly-respected trainer Freddie Roach said: “It’s difficult for fighters to consider leaving the game, but Ricky should retire.

A knockout like this one is devastating. Very few boxers are ever the same after something like this.”

Hatton, 30, stayed on the canvas for two minutes and was unable to address his 10,000-strong army of fans. His trainer, American Floyd Mayweather snr, also said Hatton should quit.

He confirmed there had been trouble in the pre-fight camp, saying: “He didn’t keep his hands up like I said he
should. He should retire.”

Team lawyer Gareth Williams said Hatton would discuss his future with his father and manager, Ray, in the coming weeks.

Williams added: “Ricky has earned enough money so that he will never have to have another fight to earn a living. It’s his choice.

"But it’s too early to say what will happen. Nobody is closer to Ricky than his dad. I am sure they will talk about it soon.”

Ray Hatton said: “We will support him whatever his decision. He is perfectly all right.”

Source: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/98944/KO-d-Hatton-told-to-hang-up-gloves

The Walking Boxing Adage that is Manny Pacquiao

2009-05-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

By Bong Paredes: There are many adages in boxing that a lot of sports journalists use like “Speed Kills”, “You can’t hit what you can’t see “, and the one that Mike Tyson made famous “Everybody’s got plans until they get hit”. After watching Pacquiao dismantle the former light welterweight king Ricky Hatton for two action packed rounds, the aforementioned adages seemed to fit perfectly in this situation.

I’m not going to try and sound like a genius by saying I knew all along that Pac will beat Hatton (though I really did) because even though that’s what eventually transpired, we all know that anything can happen in a prize fight. Even if Hatton is the clear underdog heading into the fight, he was a very live underdog as he was never beaten at 140 lbs..

When this fight was first announced everybody said that Hatton will be dismantled by Pac. After all didn’t he just “disfigure Dela Hoya’s beautiful face” as HBO’s Jim Lampley said? Hatton himself was quick to discredit that accomplishment saying that anybody would have beaten Dela Hoya that night. I agree that Oscar was nowhere near his best but what Ricky neglected to acknowledge was much of what happened that night was also because of the things Pac did well as opposed to what Oscar did not do. He kept on rambling about how much improvement he’s made, that he uses the jab more often and that his defense has improved to the point that he’s not going to be that easy to hit. Ricky would always point to his fight with Malignagi as reference should someone ask. In one episode of the 24/7 series of HBO Ricky went on to say that Pac does the same move every single time. Ironically, it’s the same move (or punch, the right hook) that led to his demise last night. He also said he’s going to win because he was a naturally bigger and stronger fighter and that Pac will not be able to deal with him.

I wonder if he really believed all of the things he said or if he just said those things to help sell the fight because after he was stormed by Pacquiao last night I remembered what both David Diaz and Oscar Dela Hoya said after they lost to PACMAN. Diaz said it’s not that he hits very hard, it’s his speed. He couldn’t see where the punches were coming from. He also said that Pac’s speed is deceiving because he doesn’t seem that fast on video. Oscar told Roach he was right in saying he can’t pull the trigger anymore. But part of it was because Pac did an excellent job of darting in and out to the point that Oscar was never able to find his groove and time Pacquiao. He was expecting Manny to use the jab and the fact that Manny used the short left to close the distance further confused him. Hatton obviously underestimated Manny’s speed and overestimated his by thinking he can lunge in without getting caught which proved disastrous for him as Manny was beating him to the punch every single time. The replay of the first knockdown says it all. The moment Manny noticed that Hatton would throw a wide left hook; he threw a short right hook of his own that hit Ricky flush as he ducked under Hatton’s hook in one motion. If there was a video illustration of “Speed Kills” in a boxing dictionary, that would be it.

Since day one, Hatton’s new trainer Floyd Sr. would often refer to Pacquiao as an amateur and that with him training and teaching Hatton how to box and the intricacies of the sweet science which includes “hit and not be hit” he’s certain that Hatton will be victorious. Hatton, if your going to listen to him before the fight talked a good game as well. He talked about how he’ll use the jab more like he did to Malignaggi and how he has improved his defense working with Floyd. Well, as what Mike Tyson would always say “Everybody’s got plans until they get hit”. The moment he got a taste of Manny’s speed and power, everything went out the window and he went back to what he knows best which is to brawl. Unfortunately for him Manny did a great job fighting at a distance and just pot shot Hatton till he got knocked out cold at the end of the 2nd round.

The sport of boxing is nowhere near as popular as it used to but it seems to be making some strides here in the Philippines thanks to Pacquiao’s ascension to greatness by continually challenging himself and always rising to the occasion every single time. As an iconic figure that every Filipino can identify with he brings the sport of boxing with him. He’s so big in The Philippines that referring to him as a “larger than life” superstar is an understatement and wouldn’t do him any justice.

If he’s popular now, I can’t even fathom what he’d be like if he could beat the former pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. should they meet up sometime this year. But until then, let’s just sit back and enjoy Pacquiao’s biggest accomplishment to date by becoming The Ring Magazine light welterweight world champion by beating Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton. After all, “There’s only oooooooonne Manny Pacquiao!!!

Source: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=19692&more=1

'The Greatness' of Manny Pacquiao

2009-05-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

Pacquiao landed 73 of 127 punches in just under six minutes against Ricky Hatton, including 34 of 53 power punches in the second round. Hatton connected on only 18 of 78.

Pacquiao's victory has historical undertones, with the 140lb world title belt having been on the line from The Ring Magazine. He has now won undisputed titles in three divisions.

Many fighters have won world 'titles' in three divisions, but this victory puts Pacquiao in great company in boxing history alongside Henry Armstrong (featherweight, lightweight, welterweight) and Bob Fitzsimmons (middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight) who won undisputed titles in three different weights at a time when there was still only one world sanctioning body.

In the first of those – in November 2003 – he defeated Marco Antonio Barrera for the Ring Magazine featherweight world title.

In March 2008, when he beat Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC superfeatherweight world title (Marquez was also considered the world 130lb champion by The Ring, considered to be the Bible of boxing), and on Sunday, he took the The Ring magazine light welterweight title from Hatton.

Pacquiao has also fought in four weight categories in a span of fifteen months and won world titles in three of them. The Ring magazine belts aside, Pacquiao has also won four world titles from the major sanctioning bodies – the WBC flyweight, IBF superbantamweight, WBC superfeatherweight and WBC lightweight titles.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/5269288/The-Greatness-of-Manny-Pacquiao.html

Hatton: I'm sorry

2009-05-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

RICKY Hatton has apologised to his army of fans in the wake of his devastating defeat to Manny Pacquiao which left the Hyde-based Hitman agonising over whether to quit boxing.

The Manchester fighter was knocked out in the second round of his IBO light-welterweight title bout in Las Vegas which confirmed the Filipino Pacman as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

But as he wrestled with the fall-out from the crushing defeat, Hatton said in a message to M.E.N Sport: "I would like to thank all the fans who came over to Vegas to support me and I know there were thousands back at home following the fight on TV and the radio who were all rooting for me.

"I apologise for letting my heart rule my head and I apologise to the fans who feel that I may have let them down."

Hatton, 30, who was comforted by his fiancée Jennifer Dooley, will have a family holiday later this month and, after the 'dust has settled', make up his mind about whether to end his fabulous career.

Acknowledging the views of controversial coach Floyd Mayweather Snr, and worried fans that Hatton should now quit the fight game, the fallen champ's father and manager Ray said: "Fans need not be worried. It is normal procedure and state law for anyone knocked out to go the hospital for a brain scan, spinal checks and other tests.

"Ricky is disappointed he had a rush of blood trying to please the fans and he told me it was the same old thing... wearing his heart on his sleeve.

"He is disappointed in himself. It was like a cavalry charge and I thought to myself from the first round `What's happened to the game plan?' He was really reckless. But he's not going to hide away and got himself out and about here, meeting his fans who all want to see him.

"He's 30 now and obviously his own man. He'll take his time to decide what to do about carrying on and whatever he's decided, he'll get support from his family.

"He knows we will back him. I told him he might have been beaten twice in his career but on both occasions it was by two of the best fighters on the planet.

"After a few days he'll be on a plane back home as he's determined to be back for the Manchester derby."

Source: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/boxing/s/1113346_hatton_im_sorry

Freddie Roach Talks to 8CountNews on Pacquiao Destruction Over Hatton!

2009-05-04T16:49:00.000-07:00

8CountNews caught up with Freddie Roach as he was driving across the desert back to Los Angeles. Roach gives us his thoughts on Manny Pacquiao's knockout victory over Ricky Hatton. Freddie is is extremely happy with Manny's performance, and says that Manny executed the game-plan to perfection. Freddie also comments on Floyd Mayweather Sr, and what was said between the two after the fight. One thing is for certain, Manny and team Pacquiao wont be waiting on Floyd Mayweather Jr to make his next move. Roach says that they are the one's on top, and that they will dictate what happens with Manny next, and nobody else. Don't miss what else the most famous fight trainer in the world today had to say, in this exclusive 8CountNews.com podcast!

8CountNews.com caught up with famed fight trainer Freddie Roach as he was driving across the desert back to Los Angeles. Roach tells 8CN that he is very pleased with Manny's performance, and looks for Manny to return to the ring in November or December. Roach also makes it clear that he doesn't like Floyd Mayweather Sr, and tells us what he had to say to him after the fight. Check out what else the most famous fight trainer in the world had to say, only on 8CountNews!

BC – Freddie you're on the way back to Los Angeles from Las Vegas at this very moment. Give us your thoughts on Manny's performance.

FR – He had a great performance. We had a good game plan going into this, and we knew Ricky Hatton well. I told Manny if he didn't knock him out within 3 rounds that I would be disappointed, and everything worked out perfectly.

BC – Were you at all surprised by how ineffective Ricky Hatton was?

FR – He made fundamental mistakes. Me and Michael watched tapes together, we knew that he was very subject to a left hook. The final punch was the left hook, and that was the most perfect shot that you will ever see in life.

BC – It was the most devastating hook that I have ever seen. Were you concerned with Ricky Hatton's health at that point? It appeared that he was hurt very badly by that hook.

FR – Yea, you know he was knocked out before he hit the ground. He went down really hard, and we knew he wasn't going to get up after that. Manny is a great puncher at 140lbs now, the 8 weeks of hard work , and the game plan intact, he's is unbelievable at this point.

BC – Were you surprised at all by the little head movement that Ricky had?

FR – I thought he would have boxed him a little more. I knew he would come forward sooner or later, but he came forward right away. As soon as Manny closed the distance, it was over.

BC – Now all eyes are on a Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight. Mayweather just signed to fight Marquez. Are you surprised by the timing of all of this?

FR – Yes, all he had to do was wait one day, and he could have had Pacquiao. I don't think he wants Pacquiao. Marquez is a good fighter, but I think Mayweather is too big for him. I am surprised by this and it's unfortunate because the people want to see him fight Manny.

BC – Do you think Bob Arum and team Pacquiao will wait to see what happens with Mayweather vs Marquez, or will you guys move on to other options like a Shane Mosley for example?

FR – Were not going to wait for anybody. We are the one's on top right now, we don't need him, he needs us. We will fight again in Nov or Dec, we don't know who yet. We will negotiate and whatever brings the biggest money, that's who we will fight.

BC – When you compare Manny where he is now as a fighter, to the guy that walked into your gym many years ago, do you see the most devastating fighter you have ever had, or in boxing period?

FR – Well he's still getting better. I am telling you, that you have not seen the best Manny Pacquiao yet, he's going to get better.

BC – What part of Manny's game do you think he can still get better at?

FR – Well at this point of his career, it depends on who he's fighting. We work on the weaknesses of our opponent. It's pretty much the strategy of the fight, and the game plan of the fight. Manny is a much more mature fighter now than he has ever been.

BC – Have you had a chance to talk to Floyd Sr yet, and if so, what did you guys say?

FR – I shook his hand after the fight, and that's it. I really don't care for the guy, and I have nothing to say to the guy.

BC – I think Manny spoke for you last night. Do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?

FR – I want to say thanks for the support for Manny Pacquiao. Look forward to getting in there again, and we'll see you down the road.

Source: http://www.8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/1565/2009-05-03.html

Mayweather-Pacquiao a possibility after Marquez

2009-05-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

Emerging from retirement, undefeated and former six-time world champion fighter Floyd Mayweather of Grand Rapids has plans for a much busier schedule.

He told the Los Angeles Times he is prepared to fight as often as three times a year while accepting challenges from all of the top rivals near his weight class.

"How am I not the king when nobody's taken my throne?," Mayweather, dressed in black clothing and a stocking cap, said during a press conference Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas to announce his return to the ring. "If I can stick 'em up three times ... that's why I came in all black, because it's bank robbery, baby."

His initial plan is to steal the spotlight from undisputed lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on July 18 in a matchup being billed as "Number One/Numero Uno" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight is being contested at a catch weight of 143 pounds.

In addition to Marquez, Mayweather told the L.A. Times he'd welcome the opportunity to climb into the ring with the finest competition, including Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley and the recently retired Oscar De La Hoya.

"All roads (to the pound-for-pound title) lead through Mayweather," his adviser, Leonard Ellerbe said.

Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound champ, administered a second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

"For me, I can fight anybody at 147 (pounds), or I can fight at 140, but he's got an upcoming fight with Marquez, and we'll see after the fight," Pacquiao told ESPN's Jaime Motta following the Hatton bout.

Speculation persists that Mayweather, who left the sport as the pound-for-pound king in December 2007 following a 10th-round technical knockout of Hatton, is in line for a megafight against Pacquiao -- if all goes well against Marquez.

Marquez has a split-decision loss and a draw against Pacquiao.

Promoter Bob Arum said a decision would not be made on Pacquiao's next opponent until after the Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey fight on July 13 in New York.

"Mayweather, if he wants a piece of the little Filipino, just be my guest," Arum said.

It is up to opponents, Mayweather insisted, to shut him up.

"I don't change for fighters, fighters change for me," he said. "Some day, someone might shut my mouth, but right now I am going to talk. I am the top dog and I am back in the spotlight."

Source: http://www.mlive.com/boxing/index.ssf/2009/05/mayweatherpacquiao_a_possibili.html

Mayweather Jr v Pacquiao - The mega fight

2009-05-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

By Ryan Williamson - A while ago I wrote the article, could Mayweather Jr return for Pacquiao? Well after last nights fight and with news of Mayweather Jr's return against Juan Manuel Marquez (providing Floyd wins) that is what he will be heading for. This is the legacy defining mega fight Floyd Jr has been waiting for (which will already be well enhanced if he gets past JMM)..

I think if this fight can be made it could be as big as any other in history. If the fight is fought below welterweight Manny will have a great chance. Out of every fighter in the world around the light welterweight/welterweight divisions I think Manny has the style that is least likely to succumb to Floyd. He is as fast as Floyd, he too throws well timed accurate punches, both fighters move incredibly well, they both have great chins and heart. I think Floyd is fundamentaly a better boxer than Pacman and he is harder to hit than Manny. That could be the difference in the fight. I still think that Floyd has the tools to beat Manny but this could be the fight that He needs to show everyone that he is as great as he says he is. On the other hand this is not (at least in my mind) a 120-108 fight for Floyd. This could be that greatness defining fight that sees him have to overcome adversity to win. But there's just enough doubt in me that says that we could see Floyd's 0 go. That's what makes this fight such an exciting prospect.

After last nights showing Pacman proved his most effective fighting weight so far is 140, he should push for the fight to be as near to 140 as he can get it. I think Manny (although by default) is the Pound for Pound #1, he will be the main PPV draw. So I don't see him having to fight at welterweight. All I can say about this fight is "Let's get it on!" just like Mills would have told them.

Source: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=19686&more=1

Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach stock soars to moon

2009-05-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

You know how those wizards of Wall Street, the people who turned out 401Ks into 101Ks and less, do it.

They issue recommendations on stocks and they grade them BUY, SELL or stay static meaning HOLD.

I decided, now that Ricky Hatton has awoken from his early May nap, to do the same regarding people and things in boxing so…

MANNY PACQUIAO: BUY because the Pacman bandwagon is getting more full by the nanosecond. You will want to grab a seat or standing room BEFORE Megamanny decapitates Ugly Boy Mayweather. It won’t be a pretty scene, trust me!

It’s a bit ironic but so fitting that this once 105 pounds and now up to 148 Destroyer has turned into a smaller southpaw version of Smokin’ Joe Frazier (but with a crisp jab and fleet feet). I know he always mentions GenSan but Manny did live in Metro Manila as a young guy so let’s label him now The Thrilla From Manila.

I’m not saying Floyd Mayweather Jr. is trembling in his boxing boots this morning but he and Oscar De La Hoya must both be scratching their heads and asking, “What hath Coach Roach wrought?”

FREDDIE ROACH: BUY. The Nostradamus of boxeo told everyone this fight would not last three full frames. His prognostication was perfect because by my calculations not lasting two complete rounds is certainly a fight that did not last three rounds. (Let’s ignore the part where Coach Roach said it would highly competitive for that brief spell a la Hagler and Hearns.)

Clearly, the world’s preeminent trainer now and Up Above, even though they ended up with some ruffled feathers between them, I am sure Mister Eddie Futch, who trained Roach as a fighter and then trained him as a trainer, is smiling brightly.

Let me just add one thing about the harmony between Pacman and No Joke Coach Roach. In the recent past a world champion who is still fighting discovered that his manager and his own mother were cheating him of money. Imagine the psychic and financial pain this fighter felt with the woman who delivered him into the world robbing him blind…I bring this up only to say that the total trust between Freddie and Manny is a rare and wonderful thing in the sometimes stinking sewer of boxing.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR: HOLD and wait to see how this ho hum July 18 fight between he and Juan Manuel Marquez pans out. This is a fight which settles only one thing, who is the boss of Floyd or of Juan Ma. Pacman continues to rule the Pound For Pound roost once owned by Mayweather. Manny reaffirmed that with an exclamation point in his KO 2 Hatton. I wonder why Manny carried Ricky for so long.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR.: SELL because the Hatton camp, bitter losers, will spread word far and wide through boxing circles about what a never on time, prickly pear Uncle Floyd can be. Yes, Rick beat the hell out of those mitt pads but the Pacman beat the hell out of him. It’s unfair to say Ricky never moved his head because it moved pretty fast between Pacman’s right and left hooks and falling rapidly to the ring mat. Mayweather tried to sell plenty of wolf tickets but they are uncashable now. It’s true, he may say, you can’t teach old British bulldog new tricks.

Who is the Joke Coach now, Floyd? I still regard you as a highly competent trainer despite your awesome consumption of Mountain Dew and Hatton’s flopping to the floor three times. There are better nights ahead, Pretty Daddy, you can bet your old Gerri curls on that. And you will work with promoters and managers who will give you money to pay for your daily diet of Kentucky Fried Chicken washed down with good, old Mountain Dew. Why Mountain Dew doesn't give you a commercial shot eludes me.

RICKY HATTON: SELL. Yes, his popularity will get him one or two farewell fights but his supposed changed lifestyle and domestic tranquility did him no good. He was at least dangerous in the ring when he had just come from the pub. He was a clueless Ricky Fatton as Pacquiao made him look like a guy caught in a revolving door of constant pain. I must say, though, Ricky’s Loyal Legion loves him none the less this morning than they did yesterday. He should be grateful for that and the money. (As I write this, the Hatton camp is nervously awaiting results of a Las Vegas hospital brain scan. Let's all hope and indeed pray that the results are good for this wounded warrior.)

RAY HATTON: SELL. His son was guaranteed $12 million but he restricted Team Hatton troupe to $50 food per diem. Cheep, cheep, cheep like a bird. Maybe he can get a UK TV show called “Father Knows Worst.” And maybe, just maybe, Papa H should have kept real boxing guys like Big Cigars Artie Pelullo and Brit Dennis Hobson in the inner circle. Meddlesome boxiung parents need to know their limitations and this ex-footballer does not seem to recognize that.

LEE BEARD: SELL if you can but this mouthy gym bag porter never had his stock listed. If he’s a top level boxing trainer, then I’m a NASA-trained astronaut. Never got along with “Pretty Daddy” and felt he should have been top dog in the Hatton camp. Bark, Lee, bark. Let’s just say this cat is no Enzo Calzaghe among British fight trainers. Talked big talk, walked small walk.

BOB ARUM AND TOP RANK: BUY. Best move Uncle Bob ever made through four decades beside all those Ali bouts was settling the lawsuit with the Golden Boys and moving on as Pacman’s lead promoter. Arum remains the boss with the hot sauce and handles a worldwide phenomenon who is approaching but now yet at his boxing peak. Scary stuff, eh Little Floyd?

GOLDEN BOY: BUY. One monkey don't stop the Golden show which rolls on as HBO's favored promoter. Goldens rumored to be trying to lure Carl Froch, super middleweight who remains England's only world champion, into their vast promotional boat even as you read this.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d3-Manny-Pacquiao-Freddie-Roach-stock-soars-to-moon

Comment: Hat's that for Hitman

2009-05-04T16:42:00.000-07:00

TEARS being shed at ringside should not be the way the Ricky Hatton story ends.

The script should read that the kid from the Hattersley estate defied the odds - and the pies and pints - and ended up ruling the world, glory be.

That dream came crashing to earth at the brutal fists of Manny Pacquiao, as conclusive and concussive an end to a championship fight as you will ever see.

Seventeen months ago Hatton was in a similar position, prone on the canvas, having been out-foxed and out-boxed by the masterful Floyd Mayweather Junior.

But even in that defeat, there were glimmers of hope, shards of reasons why he should carry on with his career.

Against Mayweather, the Hitman had moved out of his ten-stone comfort zone, his training camps were suffering from his increasing worries about the fitness of trainer Billy Graham, and he was intent on ending his career on a high note.

Everyone knew there was plenty of fight left in the old Hyde dog.

But now, the reasons for hope, the rationale for continuing his career, lie as prostrate as Hatton did in that MGM Grand ring.

Now he has had two super-fights, and two defeats - and this one was at light-welterweight, where Hatton felt invincible.

So crushing was this loss, and so worrying the outcome, that Hatton has to think of his loved ones.

He lay on his back under the unforgiving glare of the ring lights, his unfocusing eyes trying to make sense of a shadowy world, as his brain bled and his senses lay scattered to the four corners of the ring.

Stellar

A few yards away, mum Carol was desolate, fiancee Jennifer in pieces, and dad Ray looked as stunned as his son.

And for those of us who have had the pleasure and the privilege of watching Hatton's stellar career develop, these were moment of severe concern.

Even after he was helped to his stool and then guided from the ring on unsure legs, the fears remained.

Before harsh reality hit like and express train, Hatton's legion of fans had dared to hope that the stuff coming out of Ricky's training camp was all true.

That Floyd Mayweather Senior had knocked off a few rough edges, restored some of Ricky's dormant boxing skills, polished his defence and sharpened his act.

The evidence of November's defeat of Paulie Malignaggi was rolled out to fuel that hope.

But this was no Malignaggi. This was a force of nature, a southpaw with lightning feet, unpredictable moves, fast hands and deceptive power.

Pacquiao, like Mayweather Junior before him, is a modern great.

Sharper

We had heard about Hatton working hard on his jab, about him throwing double jabs in sparring, about improved head movement and sharper reflexes.

The days of Hatton relying on his strength and courage, and trying to bulldoze opponents were gone, we were told.

The first round gave the lie to all that guff.

Whether the problems with Mayweather Senior in Hatton's training camp were as damaging as some claim, or whether Ricky simply lost his head and reverted to type in the white heat of a packed Garden Arena, will come out in the wash.

But from the first bell, it was clear things were not right.

Hatton was too easy to hit, trying to stalk Pacquiao, who was in and out, flashing in big rights and lefts at will, making his man look stale and susceptible. A right hook had him down before MC Michael Buffer's rumble had barely stopped echoing from the walls.

Then in came a left hand, winging in above Hatton's poor defence, and the canvas beckoned again.

The second round gave brief cause to believe. Hatton staged a rally of sorts, catching Pacquiao with a couple of stiff shots that made the little Filipino think twice.

Accuracy

But they were brief moments of calm in the typhoon. Pacquiao came again, and a left hook of brutal power and succinct accuracy caught Hatton on the point of the jaw, snapping his head left and right with sickening force.

As he was rolled into the recovery position, the disappointment of defeat swiftly gave way to a concern for the man's health, thankfully short-lived.

With Hatton despatched to hospital, Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach outlined their game plan, and claimed, with some justification, that they had the number of Hatton and Mayweather Senior from day one.

They had picked out the basic flaws in Hatton's defence, trusted in their belief that Hatton's new trainer would not be able to correct them, and had preyed on the weaknesses.

Hatton is a warrior and will not be happy to leave the fight game in such a despairing way, yet his plans for homecoming fights at Wembley or the Millennium Stadium have surely dissipated like Nevada mist at sun-up.

The elite strata in the middling divisions is now occupied by Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and the returning Mayweather Junior - who takes on Marquez in his comeback fight in July. Hatton, who touched those heights when he beat Kostya Tszyu in 2005, no longer belongs at that level.

There are good match-ups for him should he decide to stick with the sport he loves, not least a possible clash with Amir Khan, especially if the Bolton boxer beats Andreas Kotelnik next month. Khan might also fancy the chance to add the scalp of a fading Hatton to his belt.

But whether Hatton's legion of fans, who love him for his humanity as much as for his thrill-a-minute fight career, will want to see it is another matter.

Source: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/boxing/s/1113350_comment_hats_that_for_hitman

Floyd ‘The Ducker’ Mayweather Jr. won’t fight Manny Pacquiao

2009-05-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

Floyd Mayweather Jr. nicknamed himself money. No name in any language on earth could be more apropos when it comes to describing a man who also holds the world championship for ducking good fighters in their prime.

How impressive is his undefeated record when you look at who he has fought and when? I thought it was ridiculous when praise was heaped on him for beating Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya was a shell of himself when he fought Mayweather. Before the fight Floyd Jr. ran his mouth like Floyd Sr. spewing nonsense about how he would brutally beat Oscar down and knock him out early, yet when the fight took place Mayweather showed a great deal of speed, when it came to running that is. The only brutal beating in that fight was the abuse boxing fans took in hoping to see an actual fight.

That is the real Floyd Mayweather Jr., a fighter who patiently waits for the best fighters in the game to be taken out by others so he won’t have too. Many people think Mayweather’s best defense is his speedy hands and quick feet. Floyd’s best defense is ducking fighters in their prime, no one has ever come close to being as good as he is at it. Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosely, and Miguel Cotto could have all been big fights where Mayweather could’ve shown he is something more than a paper champion, but didn’t. On the day of Manny Pacquiao’s destruction of Ricky Hatton in two rounds Mayweather announced he is coming out of retirement to fight Juan Manual Marquez. Coming out of retirement for a fighter in their prime is also known as I’ve ducked the premier fighters in the game as long as I could, so now its time for me to find another washed up fighter to take advantage of. Marquez was a fighting great. He is past his prime now and like Mayweather did to an aging Oscar De La Hoya, he will do the same thing to Marquez. Marquez will think he is in a track meet, not a boxing match. Floyd will run from bell to bell. A real boxing fan will not order this piece of garbage on pay per view. If you want to see this fight just find a copy of Mayweather – De La Hoya and you’ll see exactly how it will go down without wasting your money.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the biggest fraud boxing has ever seen. Arturo Gatti, Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah, and Henry Bruseles are the type of fighters Mayweather used to make a name for himself. He uses fighters who once had a big name and following to fool the public. If Floyd Mayweather is boxings best pound for pound fighter like he says he is, why does he need to fight a past his prime fighter in Marquez? That would be because Marquez is an easy mark for another big pay day. Mark my words Floyd Mayweather Jr. will not fight Manny Pacquiao by the end of this year. Mayweather knows he can’t beat Pacquiao and will wait until someone else comes along who can before he will fight him. That’s just how ‘Money’ is.

Source: http://tvsportsdaily.com/article.php?story=20090503114115274

Ricky Hatton has a serious decision to make after Manny Pacquiao defeat

2009-05-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

For the defeated, deflated Hatton, felled by a crunching left hook which left him prone on the canvas, there was a hospital visit for a CAT scan which, thankfully, revealed no legacy of damage to his health. The lasting scars may be more about creeping doubts.

For the victor, the spoils, as witnessed by as sell-out 16,262 crowd, and millions on television. Pacquiao, £15 million richer, the International Boxing Organisation and The Ring light-welterweight titles now in his possession, enjoyed an hour of karaoke on stage at the Mandalay Bay Resort after his perfect plan came together. Three knockdowns, six minutes' work, one cut on his face from a Hatton elbow. Job done.

Boxing is a brutal, dark trade, and can play tricks on a man's mind. The estimated £10 million Hatton will glean will do little to ease the 30-year-old fighter's agony over his worst career defeat. Glory has always been his goal.

If Hatton was desperate following his first defeat against Floyd Mayweather Jnr 16 months ago, the unravelling of his second attempt at boxing's pound-for-pound king may leave him desperate, but with serious decisions to make. A question mark now remains about his punch resistance, and whether he aged dramatically in this fight.

In his defence, of which he inexplicably showed little of against Pacquiao, his only defeats have come against two fighters destined to be viewed in time as the leading fighters of this generation, both sublimely skilled. Pacquiao with speed, Mayweather with a sublime feel for boxing. Hatton should not be too hard on himself.

Retirement will be pushed forward as the chief option, given the manner of defeat. Hatton recovered quietly with his family after being given the all-clear from medical advisers, and although his father, Ray, insisted his son's future was a matter for the fighter, the writing is on the wall.

Both trainers involved in the fight said as much, without really spelling it out.

Floyd Mayweather Snr, Hatton's trainer, against whom the whispers of recrimination are beginning to emerge, was adamant that any decision about ending a 45-2 career should be made by the British fighter. "I can't tell nobody when to retire, and I wouldn't suggest he retire," Mayweather said. "He should do that on his own. It is the best way, and it up to him.

"Some people may want to try it again or one more time, and only the individual can make that decision. He tried twice [against Pacquiao and Mayweather Jnr] and he failed twice. It's his choice at the end of the day."

Mayweather's assessment of Hatton's performance clearly indicated that Hatton had strayed from the game plan. "Ricky made an error and Pacquiao capitalised on it. He should have kept his hands up better, if you want to talk about mistakes.

"I've been preaching and preaching it. He went in open, [with his hands] low. Defence is what I've been telling him to do, to catch the punches, to throw punches and bring his hands back [to his chin].

"A lot of the time in boxing when fighters get knocked out – and I'm not saying this about Ricky or any particular fighter – when they get knocked out they are not the same any more."

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's coach, offered a similar assessment: "There are a lot of guys Ricky can beat out there, but he has had mega-fights, and a great career. He has been a multi-world champion. He has a son, a family, he has enough money. Why fight on? With a devastating knockout like that he has to think about retiring but that's up to him. But he should take some time out, make a decision, but not make it in haste. He'll take some time off and he'll make the right decision."

Mayweather denied there had been rifts in the camp, insisting that the media has twisted his words. "It is not true that there were differences in the camp. I spoke to some people and those things were twisted and turned around and smoothed out."

However, Mayweather's comments will do little to dispel the reports that he is going to split with Hatton after just two fights in charge. Insiders from Hatton's entourage had closed ranks with a wall of silence after the fight, not one of them prepared to speak about the issues rumoured to have bedevilled the training camp.

Pity Hatton, for he will see this knockout time and again as it gets replayed on KO reels. Pacquiao, the victor over three No 1 rated fighters in three divisions – Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera (featherweight) and Juan Manuel Marquez (super-featherweight) – is beginning to rewrite the record books.

"They say I'm the best trainer in the world," Roach said. "That's only because I've got the best fighter in the world training with me. Manny is incredible. He just gets better and better."

Hatton, when his head clears, will have some serious, serious thinking to do. On this showing, it looks like the time may have come to consider the dreaded 'R' word. But he will loved no less by his fans, the media and fellow sportsmen. Let's hope Hatton is not too brave for his own good

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/5268489/Ricky-Hatton-has-a-serious-decision-to-make-after-Manny-Pacquiao-defeat.html

Any Questions? - BoxingScene’s New Pound for Pound Top Ten

2009-05-04T16:38:00.002-07:00

Since the retirement of Joe Calzaghe, there had been little reason to revisit the sport’s ten best fighters but a series of events and milestones have shaken up the picture in ways which can appeal to any fight fan.

On Saturday, May 2nd, former multi-division World Champion Floyd Mayweather announced he will be returning to the ring in July for a showdown with reigning World Lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez. On the evening of the same date, the sports best active fighter made clear who the winner of Mayweather-Marquez should be gunning for. Both of these events have an impact on the new ratings.

Also impacting the new ratings are a pair of absences. The two titans of the Jr. Featherweight class, World Champion Israel Vazquez and former champion Rafael Marquez, have been inactive since their epic third fight on March 1 of last year. Marquez has imminent plans to return; Vazquez does not as yet and is therefore removed from this latest list. When his plans become clear, he will of course be reconsidered.

Their exit makes room for a new if familiar face which you’ll find in these new Boxing Scene Pound for Pound ratings.

1) Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO’S)

Age: 30

Current Titles: World Junior Welterweight (140 lbs.)

Career Titles: World Flyweight/112 lb. champion (1998-99); World Featherweight/126 lb. champion (2003-2005); World Jr. Lightweight/130 lb. champion (2008); additional alphabelts at 112, 122, 130, and 135 lbs.

Last Five Opponents: Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, David Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera

Next Opponent: TBA

The Take: The boxing world might run out of adjectives before it’s over, but it will go down swinging. The idea of Pacquiao as the sports best fighter started to be realistic in 2006 but it took until Mayweather’s now ended sabbatical to fully center attention on what has truly become the best boxing story in years. On May 2, the sport gave witness to a fighter who can now say he won both the World Flyweight and World Jr. Welterweight crowns with a single shot. It’s astounding stuff. Over the last decade plus, since the decline of Pernell Whitaker, the sport has seen pound-for-pound ratings become largely over emphasized, made into a marketing tool for incredibly talented but cautiously maneuvered athletes who sometimes gave the impression they were more interested in not losing than in finding out how great they could be. Pacquiao is different, homage to the eras when greatness was solidified through a combination of accomplishment and the audacity of risk the greatest fighters were willing to take. Pacquiao may or may not go on to defeat men like Mayweather, Shane Mosley, or Miguel Cotto; the odds should still be against it because despite the euphoria of recent encounters, size in skilled fighters still does matter. There is little doubt that he will try at least some of those names and that’s what matters. It would take an even longer step back in history than Whitaker, a step back to the career of Roberto Duran, to find a fighter reaching as far to maximize his talents and it is with the Duran’s and Henry Armstrong’s of history that Pacquiao will dare to compete with from here on out.

2) Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO)

Age: 35

Current Title: World Lightweight/135 lb. Champion (2008-Present)

Career Titles: Alphabet titles at 126, 130 lbs.

Last Five Opponents: Juan Diaz, Joel Casamayor, Manny Pacquiao, Rocky Juarez, Marco Antonio Barrera

Next Opponent: July 16, 2009 vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KO)

The Take: After a better fight than anyone expected, resulting in a knockout win of Joel Casamayor for the Lightweight crown, one could wonder if we’d seen a last great outing from two aging classics. Then Marquez won what remains so far the best fight of 2009 against Juan Diaz in March, giving up a decade on the calendar and enduring serious fire early. Beginning with his tough win over his fellow Mexican great Barrera, maybe even beginning when he was heisted on the cards against Chris John in 2006 at Featherweight, Marquez has been on a tear which took him from acknowledged ‘very good’ fighter to imminent Hall of Fame entrant. Now he’s about to be compensated for those accomplishments with a showdown against the returning Mayweather. If Mayweather were returning from multiple years off, if photos had shown him getting fat, then perhaps this wouldn’t be as intriguing. Clearly Mayweather has taken care of himself as he waited for the perfect time to return to the game which means Marquez will get the best of him in a dangerous fight. Like Pacquiao, he is reaching beyond what the scale says should be his grasp and is in almost a no-lose situation. Short of a blowout loss, he could come out of the fight elevated regardless of the outcome.

3) Floyd Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO)

Age: 32

Current Title: None

Career Titles: World Jr. Lightweight champion (1998-2001); World Lightweight champion (2002-04); World Welterweight/147 lbs. (2007-09); additional alphabelts at 130, 135, 140, 147 & 154 lbs.

Last Five Opponents: Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Carlos Baldomir, Zab Judah, Sharmba Mitchell

Up Next: July 16, 2009 vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO)

My Take: There will be some wondering what Mayweather is doing back in the ratings before he’s even had a fight. The answer is simple: he’s Floyd Mayweather and he signed a contract. That makes him active enough and given the propensity of fighters to take long layoffs at the star level these days as well as what is already known of Mayweather, it’s enough to assume he’s still at least almost as good as he was before his vacation (c’mon, was anyone stupid enough to think he was really ‘retired?’). It’s just not enough to move him higher given what Pacquiao and Marquez have been up to. There has been some early criticism of his decision to take on the naturally smaller Marquez but why? Since when is the former Lightweight champ taking on the current Lightweight champ a bad thing? While Mayweather against Shane Mosley at Welterweight would be easier to anticipate, Marquez will be motivated and there to win. Mayweather could have his hands full. If he does not, it will be because he hasn’t lost the fastball which guided him to greatness over Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo and Oscar De La Hoya over the years and the drumbeat to the best pound-for-pound showdown in a generation can begin.

4) Bernard Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KO)

Age: 44 Years Young

Current Title: None

Career Titles: Ring Light Heavyweight/175 lb. titlist (2006-2008); World Middleweight/160 lb. Champion (2001-2005); Alphabelt titles at 160 lbs. from 1995-2005

Last Five Opponents: Kelly Pavlik, Joe Calzaghe, Winky Wright, Antonio Tarver, Jermain Taylor (twice)

Next Opponent: TBA

The Take: There were some dull performances from Hopkins in recent years, performances that made him look like his age was catching up to him as defense came too often before offense. The win over Pavlik was the opposite, Hopkins best performance since the Trinidad fight and, all things considered, perhaps even better than that gem. Given the proof that Hopkins is still capable of fighting at the level he showed against Pavlik, and given the retirement of his most recent conqueror in Calzaghe, there is no way he can rest anywhere else amongst the world’s best fighters than near the top. Consider this as well in appreciating Hopkins: all of his last four foes were near universally rated in the top ten’s that populate Boxing going into their bouts with Hopkins. The losses to Taylor were both highly controversial and the wins over Tarver and Wright were not close. Furthermore, they can’t be viewed as performances from an ‘old’ fighter anymore…at least not in the normal context of ‘old.’ The win over Pavlik, particularly the sheer dominance of it, casts Hopkins recent run in a whole new light and provides compelling evidence that, at 44, he’s still an active all-time great rather a historical one and he gets full credit for the distinction. He looks certain to fight again this year but against who is wildly in the air. Regardless, anyone who loves the sweet science will be there in rapt attention, ready to learn from the professor.

5) Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KO)

Age: 37

Current Title: WBA Welterweight

Career Titles: World Welterweight (2000-02); World Junior Middleweight (2003-04); Additional Alphabelt at Lightweight

Last Five Opponents: Antonio Margarito, Ricardo Mayorga, Miguel Cotto, Luis Collazo, Fernando Vargas (twice)

Next Opponent: TBA

The Take: At the tail end of the post-fight press conference for Pacquiao-Hatton, Mosley can be heard calling Pacquiao out more than once. He wants the fight but, as has been too often the case for Mosley, he rests in line behind men who promise bigger ticket sales. It’s too bad. While he can’t quite claim to be the undisputed king of the class following his humbling of Antonio Margarito (though the Cyber Boxing Zone has installed him as such in their online encyclopedia), there can be no doubt he reigns again as “The Man” seven years after losing the Welterweight title to Vernon Forrest. Sure, he lost narrowly to Miguel Cotto in 2007 but there were arguments for both men. Mosley never even let Margarito make a case. Like another great Sugar at the same calendar age, Ray Robinson, Mosley showed the ability to handle a younger pressure fighter and summon youth from an aging body for victory. Margarito may not have been Carmen Basilio, but he had never been made to look the way Mosley left him, loaded gloves or no. Add to that a powerful run of recent competition and Mosley figures prominently amongst boxing’s best. With Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum already hinting that Pacquiao could be aimed at Miguel Cotto rather than Mayweather in the immediate future, Mosley could end up the only viable foe for “Money” if Mayweather out duels Marquez. Mosley-Mayweather is a battle over a decade in the making and would be no one’s consolation prize.

6) Ivan Calderon (32-0, 6 KO)

Age: 34

Current Title: World Jr. Flyweight/108 lb. Champion (2007-Present)

Career Titles: Additional alphabelts at 105 & 108 lbs.

Last Five Opponents: Hugo Cazares (twice), Nelson Dieppa, Juan Esquer, Ronald Barrera, Jose Luis Varela

Next Opponent: June 13, 2009 vs. Rodel Mayol (25-3, 19 KO)

The Take: You’ll read from many a knowledgeable scribe that this diminutive Puerto Rican champion ‘might be the best pure boxer in the sport.’ Calderon can do it all in the ring short of knock opponents dead, making his inability to lose thus far all the more remarkable. His game is all skill with just enough thrill (usually) to make his fights worth watching; this is no Sven Ottke. After years as the uncrowned king at 105 lbs., Calderon outboxed and outgutted a much larger (at the opening bell) Cazares in August 2007 to cement his foothold among the game’s elite by capturing the World title at 108 lbs. The similarly small Ricardo Lopez was marvelously underrated for years of his prime; no need to make that mistake twice with Calderon facing the near end of his. Over the last year, it appeared his biggest challenge could come from Ulises Solis but the rousing upset of Solis by former titlist and U.S. Olympian Brian Viloria for the WBC belt has changed the state of the class. If Calderon gets by the rugged Rodel Mayol, and he should, Calderon-Viloria is the biggest money fight at 108 lbs. in a long time.

7) Paul Williams (37-1, 27 KO)

Age: 27

Current Title: None

Career Titles: Two alphabelt reigns at Welterweight

Last Five Opponents: Winky Wright, Verno Phillips, Andy Kolle, Carlos Quintana (twice), Antonio Margarito, Santos Pakau

Next Opponent: TBA

The Take: For twenty years, the only way Verno Phillips missed a final bell was if he sent his opponent home early. In other words, Williams’ stoppage of Phillips in November 2008 was an impressive feat. Had Phillips not had to vacate his IBF belt at 154 lbs., it also would have been the start of his third major title reign in his second division. Add to that a tough win over Margarito in July 2007 and a first-loss avenging first round blasting of Quintana and Boxing fans could see in Williams a potentially special fighter. Then he went out and won every round against a probable future Hall of famer in Wright in April of this year and it was clear we may be watching the best fighter in the world even if we don’t know it yet. Long layoff prior to the bout or not, Wright still looked good in the ring. It just didn’t matter. At 6’1 with speed, power and an off the charts work rate, Williams figures to be a tough out for anyone from Welterweight to Middleweight and that’s why he’s in a bind to get a serious fight in any of those classes. Contests with either of the world’s top two Middleweights, Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham, would be high drama. Eighteen months from now, Williams versus Cuban defector Erislandy Lara could well be the best fight in boxing.

8) Chad Dawson (27-0, 17 KO)

Age: 26

Current Title: IBF Light Heavyweight

Career Titles: Another Alphabelt at 175

Last Five Opponents: Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson, Epifanio Mendoza, Jesus Ruiz, Tomasz Adamek

Next Opponent: May 9, 2009 vs. Antonio Tarver (27-5, 19 KO)

The Take: This Light Heavyweight star in the making has put together an impressive run since toppling veteran Eric Harding in 2006. His win over Adamek was almost bell to bell control; Adamek has since established himself as the best Cruiserweight in the world. Johnson and Tarver give him wins over two recent, popular choices for Light Heavyweight champion of the World. The Johnson bout in April 2008 could have gone either way but he survived a war and came out a better fighter for it, showing the improvements in handling a game Tarver last October. An endorsement from Floyd Mayweather as the sport’s best fighter while he was out may be premature, but Mayweather knows his Boxing. He sees something special. At this point, so should everyone else. The Tarver rematch is less than anticipated but it’s a classic trap fight and, interestingly, Tarver has never lost a rematch.

9) Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27 KO)

Age: 28

Current Title: WBO Welterweight

Career Titles: Alphabelt reigns at Jr. Welterweight & Welterweight

Last Five Opponents: Michael Jennings, Antonio Margarito, Alfonso Gomez, Shane Mosley, Zab Judah

Next Opponent: June 13, 2009 vs. Joshua Clottey (35-2, 20 KO)

He’s had the requisite ‘comeback soft but not too soft’ bout after his first defeat at the hands of Antonio Margarito in 2008 and the good news for fans was he still looked like Cotto. That could be bad news for the rest of the Welterweights. Cotto has amassed a remarkable body of work this decade, having faced eleven current or former major titlists since turning pro in 2001. Cotto has defeated ten of them and is the last man to defeat a Mosley. His lone loss must now be called to serious question in light of Margarito’s suspension for attempting to load his gloves and he follows walloping Jennings for a vacant WBO belt with one of the toughest outs he could ask for, Ghana’s Joshua Clottey. Clottey was recently forced to give up his IBF title or this would be a unification bout. It’s not but who cares? It promises to be a rough battle, meaning par for the course in an already loaded 2009.

10) Rafael Marquez (37-5, 33 KO)

Age: 34

Current Title: World Jr. Featherweight (2007)

Career Titles: Alphabelt Bantamweight/118 lbs.

Last Five Opponents: Israel Vasquez, Silence Mabuza, Ricardo Vargas, Mauricio Pastrana, Heriberto Ruiz

Next Opponent: May 23, 2009 vs. Jose Francisco Mendoza (21-2-2, 17 KO)

My Take: After three early career stoppage losses that might have doomed him to be just “Juan Manuel’s brother,” Marquez found his way into the ring in 2001 and 02 with American Flyweight great Mark Johnson. Johnson marked his first great rival and Marquez ended Johnson’s prime while emerging victorious in both those bouts. In 2003, he ended the run of another solid American, this one undefeated bantamweight Tim Austin, annexing the IBF belt at 118 lbs. in the process. Seven title defenses later, he stood out as one of the best Bantamweights to come around since the 1980s heyday of Jeff Chandler. His world title victory in the first Vasquez fight and the two subsequent losses put the icing on the cake. His has been a great career and it’s not over yet. His return after a long layoff will draw scrutiny as fans wonder what he brings to the table after the wars of 2007 and 2008. Given the long layoff, he drops just slightly to the ten spot.

Exiting the Ratings: Israel Vasquez (Previously #5)

Five More Who Could Easily Be Here: Vic Darchinyan, Fernando Montiel, Hozumi Hasegawa, Chris John, Nonito Donaire

Five More Who Could Be Here Shortly: Juan Manuel Lopez, Kelly Pavlik, Arthur Abraham, Mikkel Kessler, Celestino Caballero

As always, feel free to agree…and disagree. This list is for entertainment purposes only and based purely on imagination, hypotheticals and conjecture just like every other pound for pound list ever written. Neither it nor any other such list made up of such illusory ingredients should be used to forward corporate agendas of any kind.

That doesn’t make it any less fun to argue about.

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=pound

Hatton apologises to fans

2009-05-04T16:38:00.001-07:00

Ricky Hatton has said sorry to the thousands of fans who travelled to Las Vegas to watch his second-round defeat to Manny Pacquiao.
The Manchester-based fighter was confident of victory over the 'best pound-for-pound fighter in the world' but suffered a second-round knock-out in the IBO light-welterweight world title match-up with the Filipino star.

An estimated 20,000 British fans made the long trip to the Nevada desert to watch their hero in action for less than six minutes, as he was knocked down twice in the first round before failing to beat the count in round two.

The defeat was the second loss of the Brit's career and many in the sport are calling for the 30-year-old to retire, but Hatton's first thoughts were for the army of supporters who had spent their hard-earned money to make their pilgrimage to the home of professional boxing.

"I'm so desperately sorry for you all," he said. "I thought I would win but it went wrong. I'm OK but so upset for all the supporters who came out here.

"I didn't see the punch coming, but it was a great shot. I congratulate Manny. He is a terrific fighter."

Source: http://www.clubcall.com/other-sports/hatton-apologises-fans-898472.html

Pacquiao's TKO victim Hatton: I lost to a terrific fighter

2009-05-04T16:37:00.001-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – Ricky Hatton was upset at the way he fought Manny Pacquiao, but he didn’t mind losing to a fighter whom he referred to as “terrific."

The day after absorbing his first defeat – and worst overall – as a junior welterweight, Hatton readily extended apology to his throng of British fans who expected him to overrun the less stronger Pacquiao.

Unfortunately, the 30-year-old Englishman only lasted two rounds with the Filipino, who knocked him out cold on his back behind a solid left hook to the jaw.

“I am desperately sorry for all my fans who came over and everyone who watched on TV," he said. “It’s really tough to take this defeat, very hard."

Lawyer Garreth Williams, head of Hatton Promotions, admitted how down the Manchester native was following the humbling setback.

“He was in a somber mood. I have never seen that side of Ricky before," said Williams.

Proof that he was taking the loss personally, Hatton didn’t show up in the post-fight party in honor of him. A known boozer, the former light-welterweight champion only had a beer when he attended a pool party with his fiancée, close family and friends, and then went straight to bed.

“He is very, very upset about the fight," Williams added.

But Hatton had nothing but praise for his Filipino tormentor.

“I didn’t see the punch coming. But it was a great shot," he said of Pacquiao’s lethal left hook that all but ended his unbeaten reign as junior welterweight king.

“I congratulate Manny. He is a terrific fighter."

Hatton is 45-2, with 32 KOs. His only other defeat came at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2007 bout fought at the 147-pound division.

The devastating loss forced trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and to some extent his father, Ray Hatton, for the “Hitman" to finally call it quits.

Ricky Hatton however, has yet to decide about his future.

“At this moment, he has probably got a few mixed feelings about it. But he’ll make that decision, whichever way he wants to, and the family will support him," Ray Hatton said. –GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/159796/Pacquiaos-TKO-victim-Hatton-I-lost-to-a-terrific-fighter

Floyd Snr 'not to blame'

2009-05-04T16:36:00.001-07:00

Team Hatton have moved quickly to stop Floyd Mayweather Snr taking the blame for the devastating defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao - insisting he is merely a "consultant".

The 56-year-old trainer had courted controversy in the days before the MGM Grand showpiece, which ended in disaster as the Hitman was knocked out inside two rounds by Manny Pacquiao.

Many people immediately pointed the finger at Mayweather Snr, but Hatton Promotions chief executive has revealed that Lee Beard actually had a far greater input.

"It's an interesting point but the one person to blame is Pacquiao," said Williams. "Lee's a lot more involved with Ricky Hatton than Floyd Mayweather is.

"Floyd Mayweather was brought in for 12 weeks to do a job and that's the end of it. He's finished now and we don't know what's going to happen.

"Lee Beard's with Hatton Promotions 365 days a year, Floyd Mayweather's there for 12 weeks before a fight and that's the difference. Probably the best way to describe (Floyd) is that he's on board as a consultant.
Consultant

"Mayweather's come in to do a specific job."

Mayweather turned up at the MGM Grand with around an hour to go before the biggest fight of Hatton's career.

He also failed to attend the official post-fight press conference having recommended, within minutes of the second-round loss, that the Mancunian should retire.

But amazingly he still insisted he is a better trainer than arch rival Freddie Roach, the man behind Pacquiao's rise to pound-for-pound supremacy.

"Freddie Roach's man listened, my man didn't and I'm not going to take anything (away) from him," he said. "He overshadowed me today, but is he a better trainer than me? Hell no."

"He (Hatton) should have kept his hands up better. If you want to talk about the mistake, that was the mistake - something I've been preaching and preaching and preaching about."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/hatton/story/0,25890,13303_5277930,00.html

Ricky Hatton: Manny Pacquiao used me like a vacuum cleaner

2009-05-04T16:35:00.001-07:00

Top Excuses Of Ricky Hatton For Getting Destroyed By Manny Pacquiao:

1. In the first round, I was just trying to do my Juan Manuel Marquez impression. I told my team we should've sold advertising on the bottom of me white boxing booties but they didn't listen.

2. The translator for Floyd Mayweather Sr. never showed up. I haven’t the slightest idea what all that jive turkey talk was in the corner. To me, it sounded like total gibberish in some language I am not familiar with. Myabe it was Esperanto, I don’t know.

3. Oh, in case you haven’t heard, my old man (Ray) fired Floyd’s tardy ass BEFORE the fight. Not only that, he will be getting paid a pittance sent by check arriving on a slow boat from China.

4. My No. 2 trainer, the returning to anonymity Lee Beard, dropped the bucket on the way to the ring. That unnerved me because I almost kicked the bucket in the second round. Maybe Lee can spend his future writing emails to the chat board at Boxing Scene, he seems to enjoy doing that silly prat that he is.

5. If had Roger “Black Mamba” Mayweather, a/k/a Snagglepuss, in my camp and corner things would have been much different. I might have actually made it into round three.

6. Even though I was guaranteed $12 million, my father’s strict $50 per diem for food was enforced one me as well as good for nothing hangers on. Some days at the MGM I could barely afford bread and water. I went into the ring starving like Marvin!

7. Did I mention it was Floyd Senior’s fault? Because that Pacman moves a helluva lot faster than Floyd and his silly hand pads.

8. I should have stuck with my musical standby “Blue Moon” instead of whatever nonsensical song I entered the ring with. The musical screw-up sent me fans into shocked silence.

9. There’s Only One Ricky Hatton but I was on my backside three times. My head feels like a well-dribbled NBA basketball this morning.

10. I just did all this to get rid of Mayweather. Wait until you see how great I look under Coach Freddie Roach’s wing, I will be the New Ricky Hatton. I will be reborn. I can actually understand most of the words coming out of Roach’s mouth.

11. Have I dropped -- the key word being dropped -- the news that Team Hatton has sacked Old Man Mayweather? Good riddance to bad rubbish. This idiot told me I was fighting Bobby Pacquiao, he got them mixed up. He is a fired motherbleeper, trust me.

12. In my next fight, I will be introduced as Ricky “The Vacuum Cleaner” Hatton because I spend so much ring time on the carpet.

13. I was distraught to learn in me dressing room that the sagacious fight scribe MICHAEL MARLEY had been denied a press credential by some oaf on my team and in cooperation with Golden Boy. Golden Boy feels Marley forced James Kirkland to go buy some guns at a public gun show despite his felon on probation status. I just didn’t feel right knowing Marley was suffering on his living room couch surrounded by the finest wines and cheeses. Hey, I wonder how Kirkland like watching the fight...ON RADIO maybe, haha. One thing Kirkland and I have in common, we know what it's like to be cuffed around.

14. I wanted to use the nickname “The Human Pancake” for this fight knowing how flat I would be falling. Maybe I could’ve gotten a sponsorship with Aunt Jemima or IHOP, you know. But my minders nixed that.

15. Did I mention that no one named Mayweather is on my payroll effective at the 2:59 mark of the second round? We sacked Old Floyd like he was a bag of potatoes, I will tell you.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d3-Ricky-Hatton-Manny-Pacquiao-used-me-like-a--vacuum-cleaner

Ricky Hatton should retire, but can hold his head up high, reckons Barry McGuigan

2009-05-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

A great career is over. Or at least it should be.

Mercifully Ricky Hatton did not sustain a prolonged beating.

Nevertheless the end was brutal. It was unnerving seeing that final punch. After a loss like that there is no point talking about a future in the ring.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks. And yesterday's outcome showed that it can be dangerous to try.

Hatton chose to go with Floyd Mayweather Snr to refine his technique, to take him to the next level, from world champion to pound-for-pound king.

He looked a confused fighter to me. Against mortals Hatton was able to overcome his flaws. He was too good for most, ridiculously strong at the weight.

But against the very best he came up short.

He need not come down hard on himself for that.

The defeats have come against two of the greatest fighters to have laced gloves.

Floyd Mayweather Jnr is one of the best defensive boxers of all time. Manny Pacquiao stands comparison with Roberto Duran and he was one of the most ferociously attacking fighters in my lifetime.

Hatton was relentless himself at his best. He has compiled a fabulous career and put serious money in the bank.

There is no point carrying on.

It won't ever undo the defeats of the past 18 months and he has no chance of avenging them at this stage.

Pacquiao admitted that Hatton hurt him with genuine punches. It is the mistakes that brought him low.

It was too late for May- weather to change Hatton's approach. In retrospect he was the wrong choice completely.

Hatton ended up being compromised by the changes made. He was diminished by them, not enhanced.

I understand the compulsion to give it one last go, to right the wrongs of yesterday. But sport is not like that.

Hatton has entertained us tremendously over the past 12 years.

He was a world class boxer, one of Britain's finest, no question. Now is the time to go.

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/mcguigan/2009/05/04/go-now-ricky-but-hold-your-head-up-high-115875-21330716/

TEARS FOR BATTERED BOXER

2009-05-03T23:54:00.000-07:00

HE has been one of Britain’s most successful sportsmen for years.

But for Ricky Hatton’s fiancee Jennifer Dooley, the pain of seeing her man defeated and lying unconscious in a boxing ring was too much.

The glamorous blonde – known as Ricky’s Rock – let out an ear-piercing scream just seconds earlier as she watched Hatton fall for the third and final time in his short fight against Filipino Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night.

For three agonising minutes, the former college lecturer slumped forward weeping as the Mancunian lay sprawled on the canvas before medics revived him.

The 30-year-old was comforted by Jenna Coyne, girlfriend of Hatton’s younger brother Matthew – who had earlier won his fight at the same venue – after seeing the British world champion knocked out in the second round.

Beside them, Hatton’s mother Carol turned away unable to look on as the medical team worked away.

Pacquiao, known as Pac Man, felled “The Hitman” with a brutally quick left hook to the chin 15 seconds before the end of the second round of their IBO world light-welterweight title fight.

Seeing holder Hatton fall unconscious even before he hit the canvas, left referee Kenny Bayless no option but to stop the fight instantly. He was twice felled in the previous round.

Hatton, 30, was helped back to his corner before being taken to hospital for a precautionary check. He landed just 18 punches against Pacquiao’s 73.

It was a star-studded affair at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the fight dubbed “The Battle of East and West”.

Many celebrities, including Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington and British boxer Amir Khan, were ringside. Comedian Russell Brand sat next to rap mogul P. Diddy and they were later joined by superstar rapper Jay Z.

Singer Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon, who celebrated their first wedding anniversary last week, saw Hatton’s defeat, as well as Welsh crooner Tom Jones who sang the national anthem. Chelsea footballer Joe Cole and girlfriend Carly Zucker were also spotted.

The knockout, only the second in his 47-fight professional career, left many in the sport, including his trainer, urging him to hang up his gloves.

His father Ray, also ringside, said his son was “perfectly all right” after hospital checks. But he admitted his long-term future was now in doubt.

“Obviously we will support him in whatever he does,” he said. “And we’ll leave that with him. At this moment he’s probably got a few mixed feelings.

“He’ll make that decision whichever way he wants to and the family will support him. I don’t think he would let anybody make that decision for him.”

Source: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/98845/Tears-for-battered-boxer-

With one ferocious blow by Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton's amazing career is laid to rest

2009-05-03T23:53:00.000-07:00

Ricky Hatton will not fight again. Not the one the fans remember. Even if a shredded remnant of the fighter who thrilled them for a decade contemplates doing so when he recovers from the shocking knockout Manny Pacquiao inflicted on him at the MGM Grand, the real Ricky Hatton started preparing for retirement soon after enduring a similar experience in the same ring 17 months ago.

The left hook with which Floyd Mayweather Jr repelled Hatton's crude challenge in the 10th round of their welterweight title fight in December 2007 was the punch that instigated the Mancunian's slow exit from boxing. Until then, he was unbeaten, unfazed, the shiny young champion of his people. He was to grow old quickly. "He can't take a quality shot any more," a close friend said later on Saturday night, "and I think he knows it."

Mayweather's punch did not have the concussive finality of Pacquiao's wicked left, but the two blows will forever be linked. Pacquiao's arrived in the final second of round two, the third knockdown blow the Filipino had to throw to claim Hatton's IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight titles, and if Hatton heeds the wishes of family and friends the last one he will ever take.

Pacquiao put Hatton down in the first round with a right hook he admitted to his corner he never saw, and again with a short left before the bell. From that point on, it was clear we were in for a short night. Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, told later how they had worked on that right hook for weeks. "Ricky cocks his punches before he throws 'em. Every time he left an opening, Pacquiao's so quick, I knew the inside hook would work every time."

This was an echo of the strategic naivety Hatton showed against Mayweather, when he was out-thought and knocked down by a punch devised by the American's uncle and trainer, Roger.

Hatton seemed to have collected his thoughts when they resumed but was again afflicted by the "red mist" he blames for his wild, swinging ways and walked into more pinpoint shots from the smaller man. When the end came, it was as if we were all sharing the same, slow nightmare, so lightly did Hatton float to the floor. When he landed, he could barely open his eyes, but you could see the pain in them as he lay motionless, the referee, Ken Bayless, not needing to count him out.

Hatton did not just lose a fight and his titles at that moment. He lost all connection with the rest of us in the arena, the power drained from a body he had taken three months to whip into shape.

But the appearance of those rippling muscles could not disguise the damage he has done over the years with a hard-drinking lifestyle taken from some northern manual on male behaviour. It has been this, above all other follies, that has undermined his career, although he will not admit to it because he is a prisoner of his own making, a super-lad among lads.

By the time Hatton had recovered in the Valley hospital off Las Vegas Boulevard in the early hours of yesterday morning, he had Pacquiao's fists, not pints of Guinness, to thank for his headache, and he was greeted immediately by a mixed chorus of advice. Roach, the mastermind of his downfall, cautioned against carrying on. "He's had some mega-fights," he said. "He's had a great career. So, why? He doesn't need it. He has a family, he has a son. With commitments like that, he's got to think about retiring."

It will not be easy, but he will almost certainly walk away, having earned more than £30m in 12 years of largely exhilarating success, spoiled only towards the end by losing to two of the modern greats in Mayweather and Pacquiao. That fact will be the cornerstone of his justification for retiring now, the centrepiece of his nightclub act when he regains his self-esteem and goes back before his public.

That is the only consolation Hatton can take from the defeat. He lost to a fighter who Roach says is on his way to a special kind of greatness, a fighter who is now the hottest property in boxing. Mayweather, officially unretired, will want a piece of him, although Pacquiao now holds all the aces. "We're in no hurry," Roach says.

No amount of considered reflection will change the facts for Hatton, meanwhile: even if he wants to fight again, there is nobody for him to fight. What Pacquiao exposed was the last piece of evidence in a case that has been building steadily for a couple of years. Hatton's punch resistance has fallen to a dangerously low level. "The likes of Timothy Bradley and Kendall Holt would knock him out," a friend of Hatton's said. "Amir Khan would knock him out."

Juan Lazcano nearly stopped him in his comeback fight last year and even the light-hitting Paulie Malignaggi inconvenienced him a couple of times before Pacquiao got to him. The weeks, days and moments before this fight were fraught.

There were rows between his trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr, and his assistant, Lee Beard. There was speculation – since confirmed – that Roach had been asked to take over his training in the future. And there was a grim mood in the dressing room immediately before the fight.

"He was very nervous in the dressing room before the fight," a friend said. "I don't think he thought he was going to win, even then. I think he suspected he didn't have it anymore, but you can't admit that, not even to yourself."

For weeks, Hatton had railed against those who said that he was going to lose to the best fighter in the world. He sounded then as if he were trying to convince himself but, when it came to proving it, Hatton was in no position to argue the case. He was unconscious and lying flat on his back in the middle of the ring, as former a fighter as it is possible to be.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/may/04/ricky-hatton-manny-pacquiao-retirement-boxing

Manny Pacquiao could have the boxing market cornered

2009-05-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

Reporting from Las Vegas -- Manny Pacquiao prides himself as a smart businessman who knows how to play poker. Let future opponents beware: He walked out of the MGM Grand casino-hotel this weekend with a stack of chips.

A record-tying world title in a sixth division. A fourth consecutive victory in a different weight class. And a one-sided performance in a major fight that, compared to the Tyson-Spinks mauling and George Foreman's "Down goes Frazier!" triumph, has given Pacquiao unprecedented power in mapping his immediate fighting future.

The best pound-for-pound fighter in the world coming off a second-round knockout victory like that in a lucrative junior-welterweight championship bout against Ricky Hatton? That creates perks.

After the first major bout of the post-Oscar De La Hoya era, Pacquiao is now the man. He is empowered to pick who he wants to fight, when he wants to fight them, and at what weight.

The handful of opponents before him includes Pomona's world welterweight champion Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, unbeaten lightweight champion Edwin Valero, Mexico's popular Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and unbeaten and recently unretired Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The problem with Mayweather is that he signed Friday to fight Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18. The move surprised the Pacquiao camp, who say they are unlikely to rest until the super-fight.

"A busy fighter is a good fighter, we're not going to wait around," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. "Mayweather just had to wait one day and this fight could've happened. I think he's scared of Manny."

Privately, the Pacquiao camp said Mayweather Jr. harmed his leverage in future Pacquiao negotiations -- perhaps for a bout early next year -- by agreeing to fight Marquez in a bout expected to struggle for pay-per-view buys.

Meanwhile, the buzz around Pacquiao (49-3-2, 36 knockouts) intensified after he knocked down Hatton three times, including a highlight-reel left hook that flattened Hatton with one second left in the second round.

Pacquiao, 30, is in peak shape, showcasing ring smarts that have caught up to his speed and punching power. He's better than even those closest to him think. Pacquiao business manager Michael Koncz said before the fight that he bet at the sports book that his fighter would knock out Hatton in three to six rounds.

Roach, for the second consecutive fight, ended the night urging a Pacquiao victim to retire. De La Hoya did, and Hatton should, too, Roach said. "He had a great career, but knockouts like that aren't good for people."

Hatton's promoter Richard Schaefer said Hatton "never mentioned retirement" in a post-fight discussion.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said, "I have something special in history here, an athlete who's improving every fight. He's like a grand painting."

The next stroke, Arum said, is to have Pacquiao film a movie in the Philippines, then travel to New York in June to pick up his 2008 fighter-of-the-year award and watch Cotto's welterweight title defense against Joshua Clottey. The Pacquiao camp will then huddle to select a new foe.

"Manny will fight anybody. He says, 'Whoever, whatever, no problem, I just do what my coach [Roach] wants me to do,' " Arum's matchmaker, Bruce Trampler, said. "Freddie knows. He thinks about this stuff all the time."

So it's noteworthy that Roach first mentioned Mosley as a future opponent. "As a fan, that's the fight I'd most want to see," Roach said.

Mosley congratulated Pacquiao late Saturday, then quickly lobbied to get that fight while knowing Top Rank could be tempted business-wise to match Pacquiao against Cotto, a Top Rank fighter. Trampler said assuredly there's no such conspiracy theory in play.

"Let's get it done," Mosley said. "I don't see a reason they'd want to fight Cotto when I'm the champion who beat [Antonio] Margarito, who beat Cotto. It'd be a classic fight [against Pacquiao]. We both have good hand speed and power and I think that fans want to see the best fight the best."

Team Pacquiao, however, doesn't want to fight either Mosley or Cotto at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds, and would demand that either move down to a catch-weight bout of 143 pounds, said Roach.

"We can talk," Mosley said.

First, it'll be up to Team Pacquiao to make the call.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-pacquiao4-2009may04,0,5137234.story

Shattered Hatton told to retire after devastating defeat

2009-05-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

Ricky Hatton, who underwent a brain scan following his calamitous defeat by Manny Pacquiao, is being advised to quit boxing.

Freddie Roach, mentor of the Filipino fighter, said: ‘Ricky should call it a day.

'He is well off, he has his family and he doesn’t need to go through anything like this again.

'Very few fighters are ever the same after taking a knockout this bad.

'This was devastating.’

Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Snr, was expecting to be fired after a training camp bust-up with the Manchester fighter just before the fight and he made his departure inevitable on Sunday.

‘Ricky lost because he didn’t do what I told him,’ he said.

‘He didn’t keep his hands up. I also told him not to fight so aggressively from the start.

'I can’t fight for him. He should retire.’

But Roach added: ‘I’d been watching the tapes of Ricky for weeks and every fight is the same. He’ll never change.’

Hatton spent just over an hour in hospital and was given the all-clear after his scan, but will delay any decision about his future until he has a chance to review this fight.

He admitted: ‘I was hit a lot. The last punch which put me out was a great shot.

'I know I’ll be OK. I have felt worse after 12 tough rounds.’

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1177018/Shattered-Hatton-told-retire-devastating-defeat.html

Mexican breakfasts come back to haunt Ricky Hatton

2009-05-03T23:48:00.000-07:00

Even before Ricky Hatton's fight started, the villain of the piece had been identified by Sky's pundits. Step forward Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr, roundly condemned by former boxers Johnny Nelson and Nicky Piper for his less than serious demeanour in the run-up to the fight and for the cardinal sin of constantly turning up late for training.

I must say I had already formed the view that the trainer's judgment was open to serious question, watching the preview documentary Sky screened plugging its Box Office coverage. In it, we see footage of Mayweather driving to work – late again – stopping at one of those quasi-Mexican drive-through places to pick up some breakfast/lunch.

He chooses Number 8, which I should have counselled against. It appeared to be three crisp taco shells filled with something pretending to be meat, lots of that gloop that makes cheap Mexican food the bowel-opening crime against humanity that it is, with a cheese-style substance melted on top of the whole disaster. Not only did the trainer make this ill-advised choice – filled taco shells remain Mexico's most toxic export despite anything you might read elsewhere in this newspaper – but he spent rather too long discussing what exactly might be in his meal.

"Has it got, like, tomatoes in it?" Mayweather mumbled into that voice-distorting microphone these places always have, wasting valuable time that might have been better spent explaining to Ricky that Pacquiao was a southpaw. I mean, any man who can live 57 years in the United States and still has to ask what is about to go into his crisp taco shells has clearly not been paying attention.

And then – horror of horrors – Mayweather proceeded to eat the catastrophe while driving his big posh car – a Mercedes or something, I'm not an expert – to the gym where his affable charge patiently waited.

The most junior travelling salesman could have told him that Mexican is not good driving food. Quite apart from the smell – which, in fairness, you could easily clear by driving four or five thousand miles with all the windows open – and the grease on the steering wheel, there is the ever-present danger of spillage.

When I used to drive around a lot – before taking on the sport-on-TV gig, which is the journalistic equivalent of house arrest – the meal-at-the-wheel was one of my most important choices of the day.

A simple yet sustaining sandwich was what I sought. However tempting the deep-fill might look, I resisted it. Certainly, any sandwich containing tomatoes was to be viewed with deep suspicion, because those tomato seeds will fly out of your snack and zero in on a freshly laundered white shirt like a heat-seeking missile. And I made a particular point of slinging a deaf 'un to the honeyed words of the Ginsters people. Pies and pasties will crumble, and as you brush the pastry from your clothing, you may find some of the filling has sneaked out; and gravy smeared on a navy blue suit is never considered an especially good look.

I could not imagine Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's quieter, more serious- looking trainer, making such elementary food-choice errors.

Roach was a telemarketer before taking up training, calling himself Joe Davies and selling pens and mugs, quite successfully apparently. You could never imagine Mayweather Sr being self-effacing enough to change his name and sell stuff over the phone.

And there is another thing. I am not entirely comfortable with the Sr tag. It always says to me that the father has somehow been eclipsed by the son, as in George Formby or Frank Lampard Sr – fine overlapping full-back though he was, with a famously famous left foot. Where the father is the real deal, like Frank Sinatra or Hank Williams, it is the son who has to carry round the Jr tag.

But what, I hear you asking, of the fight? Well, for those of you unable or unwilling to stump up the fifteen quid to watch, what I am trying to do is give you some idea of the balance of Sky's coverage. It began at 10pm, and lasted for 480 minutes, of which less than six were taken up with the fight. Take away the two minutes I spent with my eyes averted from the punishment meted out to my fellow Mancunian, and you will know why the brutal business is relegated to these few words.

Amid all the analysis, the night was best summed up by Hatton's girlfriend Jennifer, who looked as nervous as a kitten before the fight, and ten seconds before the end of round two, put her hands to her face and let out a piercing scream.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/may/04/martin-kelner-screen-break-ricky-hatton

What does the future hold for Manny Pacquiao?

2009-05-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

Now that the smoke has cleared from the latest “fight of the year”, what’s next for Manny Pacquiao?

A battle with Floyd Mayweather Jr. seems the most likely scenario. But what if Mayweather can’t hack it against Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18? If he loses, where does that leave Pacquiao?

You’d think a fighter of Pacquiao’s stature would draw everyone in the 140- and 147-pound divisions, especially since Pacquiao got $12 million and Hatton $8 million. But this isn’t the 1960s where everyone would fight everyone. Money and promoters usually gum up the works.

There isn’t enough space here for a list of fights that never took place for selfish reasons. Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones Jr. II, de la Hoya-Trinidad II, Mosley-Mayweather…That doesn’t even scratch the surface.

After his destruction of de la Hoya and Hatton some fighters may even avoid him. Just ask Paul Williams. Finding a good fighter willing to meet you can be frustrating.

Curiously, Pacquiao was coy when asked if he would fight Mayweather, only to say: "I can fight anyone I want to fight at 147 or 140." That doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement for a Pacquiao-Mayweather mega-bout in November.

Just in case he doesn't fight Mayweather, which would totally give fuel to critics who claim boxing is dead, the following is a list of suitable fighters.

Miguel Cotto - Assuming he beats Joshua Clottey on June 13, this would be the next best matchup. Cotto got a new lease on his boxing life after Antonio Margarito was caught cheating.

Shane Mosley - The clock is ticking on Mosley, whose age is bound to catch up with him. Waiting until 2010 for another big fight won't help "Sugar" Shane's cause.

Joshua Clottey - If Clottey can upend Cotto, don't be surprised if you see this matchup. Clottey is filled with confidence and will explode if he tops Cotto.

Juan Manuel Marquez - Right now this seems like a long shot. But if he beats Mayweather, get ready for Marquez-Pacquiao III.

Timothy Bradley - Bradley was just stripped of his WBC junior weltweight title for not meeting the deadline to fight mandatory challenger Devon Alexander. But he is still the WBO champ, and might welcome a chance to put his name in lights. Although a talented fighter and undefeated, Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs) doesn't have the name right now to draw a mega-match.

Other possibilities include Paul Williams and Andre Berto. Williams is an extreme long shot because it's doubtful he would go back to welterweight now. And Berto doesn't have enough of a track record.

- MARCUS HENRY

AP Photo

Source: http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/boxing/blog/2009/05/manny_pacquiao_is_the_hot_tick.html

Hatton's Father: Decision On Boxing Future Up To Ricky

2009-05-03T23:45:00.000-07:00

AHN Sports Staff

London, England (AHN) - The decision on whether he would continue boxing following Saturday's brutal second-round knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao is all up to Ricky Hatton, the Briton's father said Sunday.

"Obviously we will support him in whatever he does," Ray Hatton told Sky Sports. "And we'll leave that with him."

"At this moment in time he's probably got a few mixed feelings about it. He'll make that decision whichever way he wants to and the family will support him," the older Hatton added.

Ricky Hatton lied down sprawled on the MGM Grand canvas in Las Vegas after taking a ferocious left cross from the Filipino pound-for-pound king and later was brought to a nearby hospital for precautionary reasons.

Ray Hatton said the former IBO and The Ring light welterweight champ is doing well after Saturday's fight.

What remains unclear, though, are the days beyond for the former undefeated fighter out of Manchester, England.

"I know privately in a few months' time what he'll be thinking but I wouldn't like to say because I don't want to be putting him under undue pressure. He'll make the decision," Hatton's father said, according to Sky Sports.

By deciding against retirement, Ricky Hatton could avoid the ignonimy of being the second straight Pacquiao victim to call it quits from boxing.

Most recently, Oscar De La Hoya walked away from the sport only five months after taking a beating from Pacquiao.

But one thing going against Hatton in resuming his career is his nasty exit from the ring Saturday.

He's never been defeated at 140 pounds nor was he taken out in such a speedy and ghastly manner. The setback was so devastating that even his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. said it's time to quit.

The older Mayweather urged "The Hitman" to retire and leave the ring. Going away while at your prime is the thing to do, the cocky trainer said.

Source: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7015007312

Fight too short, TV ads too long

2009-05-03T23:42:00.000-07:00

THEY CAME IN A FURIOUS, mind-numbing barrage.

No, not the punches that Manny Pacquiao threw to floor Ricky Hatton in two rounds—but the load of advertisements that stretched the fight’s free TV broadcast for hours to the exasperation of millions of Filipino viewers yesterday.

Henry, an air-conditioning system technician in Quezon City, said he turned off his set in frustration after waiting more than an hour for the bout’s “‘delayed telecast’” on GMA 7.

“I already heard on radio (at around noon) that Pacquiao won,” Henry said when reached by the Inquirer at around 1:30 p.m.

“I won’t watch it on TV anymore,” he said in Filipino. “The thrill is gone. It’s so annoying.”

The main event was finally shown at around 2 p.m., but commercial breaks again chopped up the preliminaries into several parts—the entry of the fighters, Martin Nievera’s singing of the Philippine national anthem, Michael Buffer’s ring introductions—that it took another 40 minutes for Round 1 to be aired.

The GMA 7 telecast noticeably skipped the singing of the British national anthem “God Save the Queen” by Tom Jones, and another singer’s rendition of the United States’ “Star Spangled Banner.”

The Inquirer noted that some commercial gaps during the main event ran for up to 8 minutes, while airtime for the pre-fight sequences lasted only about a minute.

But according to GMA 7 insiders, not a single centavo of ad revenue from the fight went to the network.

GMA 7’s partnership with Solar Entertainment, which holds broadcast rights to Pacquiao’s bouts, is a “blocktime deal,” said network officials, who declined to be named for lack of clearance to speak on the matter.

Bigger than De La Hoya fight
“That means that all advertising revenues go to Solar Entertainment. GMA 7 only gets a fixed amount, commensurate with the air time bought by Solar,” said one of the officials.

A Solar executive confirmed that ads from the Pacquiao-Hatton mainer, as well as from the undercards, delivered the biggest payday ever for the company, which has a lock on the Philippine broadcast rights for the Pacman’s fights up to 2011.

Jude Turcuato, Solar Sports vice president for sales and marketing, said Sunday’s blockbuster duel was bigger than the Pacquiao-Oscar De La Hoya showdown held five months ago.

“It’s not big percentage-wise but we’re coming from an already big base, the De La Hoya fight. The bottom line is this is the biggest,” said Turcuato.

He declined to give exact figures, but said the company definitely made more than P100 million on Sunday.

Blanket coverage
Turcuato said the Wilson Tieng-owned media outfit scored record numbers in TV ad placements, ticket sales and pay-per-view subscriptions based on preliminary data.

Compared to the De La Hoya fight, Turcuato said Solar practically also had blanket coverage of all theaters in Metro Manila for the Hatton match.

Solar also got more bookings not only from commercial outlets such as hotels and sports bars, but also from provincial capitols and barangay halls in areas where local officials had to give in to their constituents’ clamor for a live Pacquiao fight, he said.

Turcuato noted that since the De La Hoya fight, Filipinos had been craving for more of the collective experience of watching Pacquiao in real time—not unlike the thrill shared by football fans when watching a World Cup match.

Aside from having Pacquiao pitted against a marketable opponent like Hatton, Turcuato said, the earlier tug-of-war for the broadcast rights to the fight may have also added to the hoopla.

Gaining from controversy
“The controversy actually benefited us in a way because the public became more aware of how big the fight is and it heightened their interest,” Turcuato said, referring to Pacquiao’s aborted transfer to ABS-CBN in March.

Whether Pacquiao’s next foe would be WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto or retired welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., Turcuato said he is confident that the Pacman’s next bout will be another record-breaking day for Solar.

An ad industry insider told the Inquirer that “multimillion-peso packages” were offered to companies that wanted to place advertisements in the free TV airing of the Pacquiao-Hatton bout.

“Anywhere from P3-million to P15-million package buys were made available,” the source, an executive representing a group of advertisers, disclosed. “No spot or segment buys were allowed.”

Not covered by ad cap
“The lower packages were considered sponsorships only,” the source said. “Companies that availed themselves of P10-P15-million packages were called co-presenters or presenters.”

A broadcast industry insider noted that by partnering with GMA 7, Solar could put in as many commercials as it wanted since the Kapuso network was not covered by the ad cap imposed by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). (See “In the Know”)

Unlike its main rival ABS-CBN, GMA 7 is not a member of the KBP.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090504-202907/Fight-too-short-TV-ads-too-long

Lay it to rest, Manny Pacquiao is the best

2009-05-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ricky Hatton, his eyes closed, was at rest before his back hit the mat after taking the sleep inducing left hook from Manny Pacquiao in their 2 May 2009 140-lb IBO and Ring Magazine title fight.

After regaining consciousness, Ricky realized that indeed there was somebody who could beat him and who did beat him, and devastatingly, in his claimed domain at 140 lbs. The much hyped Battle of the East and West proved to be not a battle after all because Manny Pacquiao deftly defused it.

Doubters should now put to rest the lame excuse that Oscar dela Hoya was not his usual self when the Pacman beat him like he never was. This excuse downgraded Manny’s accomplishment to some extent. Hatton even bought the idea and said that he could have likewise beaten the drained Oscar that night of 6 December 2008. Oscar’s partial assessment of a stronger and bigger Hatton winning over Manny supported the doubters’ proposition that Manny is not really that great.

With Ricky’s easier and earlier dismissal by Manny than Oscar was, Freddie Roach proves right in his assessment that the Oscar of 6 December 2008 could still beat many top fighters of today. And this does not exclude the Ricky Hatton of 2 May 2009.

When Floyd Mayweather, Jr. announced his comeback, these doubters immediately removed Manny from the top P4P pedestal and reinstalled Floyd to it. That because of Manny’s previous 3 losses as against none to Floyd the latter should be on top. But if past performances against common opponents were to be the gauge, which should not be, Manny’s have the edge.

Floyd struggled with Oscar to earn a split verdict while Manny dominated and made Oscar quit before the start of the 9th round. The old-man-making defeat eventually led to Oscar’s retirement from being a fighter.

It took Floyd almost 10 rounds to beat Ricky who, before the stoppage, was holding his own to give Floyd problems. Manny easily beat Ricky who was on dreamland just before the bell to end the 2nd round. Now Ricky might be contemplating retirement himself.

By unseating Ricky Hatton, Manny won his 6th title in as many weight divisions. More so, he is the first fighter to win a 4th lineal or real championship in 4 weight divisions. He has now won the flyweight, featherweight (which many erroneously do not recognize), junior-lightweight and now junior-welterweight lineal championship.

So the question as to who is the best P4P fighter should now be laid to rest. Even with the return of Floyd Jr. to the mix, the world champion from the east is simply and would still be the best.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-24069.html

Pacquiao proves he's the real man

2009-05-03T16:42:00.000-07:00

FILIPINO southpaw Manny Pacquiao confirmed his status as the world's best boxer, flattening Ricky Hatton in the second round in Las Vegas yesterday, taking a historic victory with a devastating left to the chin that put the Englishman in hospital.

Pacquiao equalled a boxing milestone with a title in a sixth weight class by slamming a powerful left-hand blow into Hatton's chin to buckle his knees and send him to the canvas on his back unconscious.

"It was a hard punch. It was a solid punch," Pacquiao said. "I hit him on the chin and I didn't think he would get up."

Referee Kenny Bayless knelt over the unmoving Hatton and halted the fight after two minutes and 59 seconds of the second round, giving the Filipino a victory and the International Boxing Organisation junior-welterweight title.

"Everybody is surprised. Me, too. I didn't expect this would be so easy," Pacquiao said. "But I have worked hard in training camp. Nothing personal. I was just doing my job."

Hatton awoke and walked from the ring to the locker room but was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution.

"It was a hard loss but I'm OK," Hatton said. "I didn't really see the punch coming, but it was a great shot. I know I will be OK."

Pacquiao, widely considered the world pound-for-pound champion, won his 10th fight in succession, improving to 49-3, with two drawn, with his 37th early stoppage coming on a spectacular punch for the ages.

"That was the best knockout punch I've ever seen," Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said. "It was the perfect shot. That rarely happens."

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum said his charge would be considered the best fighter in history by the end of his career.

But he may face a challenge from Floyd Mayweather Jr for the title of world's best.

Former undisputed welterweight champion Mayweather ranked himself atop the list of boxing's best a few hours before the fight by announcing the end of his 17-month retirement and a comeback on July 18 in the same arena against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather abdicated the pound-for-pound throne that Pacquiao has claimed by winning four consecutive fights in as many weight classes.

"Manny is unbelievable. He's the best fighter in the world," Roach said. "He is in his prime right now. Anyone in the world, he could beat them all."

However, an agreement on what weight the pair would meet at - Pacquiao is comfortable at 140pounds, while Mayweather will fight Marquez at 144 - could prove an insurmountable impasse.

Roach said Mayweather feared facing Pacquiao at a similar weight.

"Mayweather, he just had to wait one day and he could have fought Manny. I think he's afraid of Manny," Roach said. "He made the fight maybe not happen. We're not going to wait for him. There are other great fighters out there."

As for Hatton, who has also been floored by Mayweather, Hatton's trainer - Mayweather's father - said that after two devastating defeats the "Hitman" should call it a day.

"I would suggest he retire. At the end of the day it's his decision," Mayweather Sr said. "He tried twice. He failed twice. He lost to my son and to lose to someone below that, it's time to leave the ring.

"He made a good profit. Sometimes you have to go when your prime is still there.

"A lot of times in boxing when a fighter gets knocked out - I'm not saying this particularly about Ricky - they are just not the same anymore."

Meanwhile, millions of Filipinos danced in the streets and joined raucous parties yesterday as the impoverished southeast Asian nation celebrated Pacquiao's win. Motorists waving the national flag drove through major cities tooting their horns and shouting out of the windows after Pacquiao's victory.

The Philippines' usually jammed highways had been deserted before a delayed broadcast of the Las Vegas fight was screened on free-to-air television, and police said even criminals took the day off.

"It's zero crime rate today," national police spokesman Senior Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said. "We wish Manny would fight every day so we will have no problems in security."

Troops fighting Muslim militants on Jolo Island also watched the fight, while President Gloria Arroyo took time out from an official visit to Egypt to comment on the win.

"President Gloria Arroyo joins the entire nation in gratitude of God for the spectacular victory of our Manny Pacquiao," her spokesman Cerge Remonde told Filipino radio by telephone.

At least 10,000 people watched a free live screening in Pacquiao's dirt-poor home city of General Santos, while in Manila's depressed Tondo area another 2000 people packed an airless gym to watch the fight.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25423790-2722,00.html

Cotto next for Pacquiao – Arum

2009-05-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS — Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum said on Saturday night though many would like to see Manny Pacquiao face Floyd Mayweather Jr., the Filipino’s next likely opponent would be Puerto Rican puncher Miguel Cotto sometime in November or December with New York as venue.

Arum, grinning from ear-to-ear after Pacquiao’s sensational demolition of Ricky Hatton, said during the post-fight press conference that everything would all depend on the outcome of Cotto’s June 12 fight with Joshua Clottey at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Arum said Pacquiao will be on hand at the Garden when Cotto faces Clottey since he will be attending the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) awards dinner on the eve of the fight.

The BWAA has named Pacquiao as its Fighter of the Year for 2008, while cornerman Freddie Roach will receive the Best Trainer award.

This marks the second time Pacquiao will receive the award having been named as Fighter of the Year in 2006.

If everything falls into place, Pacquiao and Cotto will duke it out at the Garden, where Cotto has sold it out a few times owing to the large Puerto Rican population there.

Cotto, 5-7 a right-hander, has rebounded strongly from his knockout loss to Antonio Margarito of Mexico last year and has since made his way back into the win column, stopping Michael Jennings of the UK in five rounds at the Garden last February.

The 28-year-old Cotto, who is also under the promotional banner of Top Rank like Pacquiao, has a 33-1 card with 27 knockouts.

Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/204728/cotto-next-pacquiao-arum

Ricky Hatton v Manny Pacquiao: How the fight unfolded

2009-05-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

Ricky Hatton v Manny Pacquiao for the IBO and The Ring light-welterweight titles

Round One
Hatton starts well for the first 30 seconds, stays outside, moving well (and keeping to the game plan) as Pacquiao appears to start slowly. Then Pacquiao launches an assault catching Hatton flush with a straight left hand. Then a right hook. Then he launches an all-out assault, twice sending Hatton to the canvas. The final minute of the round is torrid for the Mancunian, a rapid right hook as Pacquiao moved to his left catching Hatton on the chin sending him to the canvas. Hatton takes the count from referee Kenny Bayliss on one knee, rises, but is soon in trouble again, as a straight left floors him in front of his corner.
10-7 Pacquiao

Round Two
Hatton looks composed, remarkably, at the start of the second stanza, beginning it with some success, knocking Pacquiao back, but is then warned by Bayliss not to hold and hit. Hatton lands with a left hook, and looks to be getting back into the contest but as the round ends Pacquiao enacts a punch of clinical brutality, felling Hatton flat onto his back, crumpling under a left hook which leaves him glazed and motionless. Hatton looked out before he landed on his back on the ground.

"I did not count," said Bayliss. "I called the fight over because Ricky was glazed in his eyes and was showing no motion to get back up." Promoter Bob Arum says immediately at ringside that Pacquiao can "go on to become the greatest pound for pound fighter of all time". Hatton is on the canvas motionless for three minutes, and walks out of the arena. He is immediately taken to hospital "on precautionary grounds".

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/5266578/Ricky-Hatton-v-Manny-Pacquiao-How-the-fight-unfolded.html

BOXING PROMOTER ARUM CHALLENGES MAYWEATHER

2009-05-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS: If Manny Pacquiao works fast, so does his promoter—that is, in lining up the next fight for the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions announced at the post-fight press conference Sunday that he wants to match Pacquiao with former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto or lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.

But Mayweather came out of a 17-month retirement also on Sunday to announce that he would be fighting Marquez on July 18 at the MGM Grand, the venue of Sunday’s showdown. (See related stories on front page and A8)

“Floyd Mayweather Jr., if you want a piece of my little Filipino, be my guest,” Arum said.

Pacquiao earlier told a small group of Filipino journalists that he wants to fight the man he replaced at the top of pound-for-pound totempole.

“I like to fight him. I can fight anybody,” said Pacquiao, who knocked out Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton of Britain in round two of the so-called fight of the year.

“Manny is unbelievable. He’s the best fighter in the world,” said Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach. “He is in his prime right now. Anyone in the world, he could beat them all.”

Former undisputed welterweight champion Mayweather put himself atop that list a few hours earlier by announcing the end of his retirement.

Mayweather abdicated the pound-to-pound throne that Pacquiao has claimed in 2007 by winning four fights in a row in as many weight classes, but the International Boxing Organization’s new junior welterweight champion likes his current size.

Announcement at high noon

Mayweather’s return was announced at a noontime press conference at the Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand.

“I’m back, and I’m here to stay as pound-for-pound king of the world,” Mayweather said during a press conference.

He added that he was willing to fight all the big names, including Pacquiao.

In a separate interview, Marquez said through an interpreter that he was also raring for a third fight with the Filipino icon anytime.

“I think Pacquiao is scared of me, because he knows I beat him,” said Marquez, who has won two consecutive knockout wins at lightweight since losing his junior lightweight title by split decision in March 2008.

In his first match with Pacquaio in 2004, Marquez was knocked down three times in the first round but rallied furiously to retain his super featherweight title in a controversial draw that many thought was won by the Filipino southpaw.

Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, which is co-promoting Mayweather-Marquez with Mayweather’s promotional outfit, said the winner of the two biggest events of the year would logically fight each other in a super fight to decide the best.

Just noises

Roach downplayed Mayweather’s desire to fight Pacquiao, saying the former pound-for-pound champion was only making a “lot of noises.”

“I don’t think Mayweather really wants to fight Manny,” Roach said. “He’s scared of my man, and I doubt if he would like to fight him after this [Pacquiao’s decisive win over Hatton].”

US veteran Shane Mosley and Puerto Rico’s Cotto, two fighters who have tried in vain to make a deal to fight Mayweather, were mentioned by Roach as possible next foes for Pacquiao.

Asked to predict how Pacquiao-Mayweather would end, Roach said he expected the fight to go the distance.

“We win on points,” Roach said. “He doesn’t like to engage. He’s going to run from us.”

Roach also made it clear they would not make the leap for a chance to fight Mayweather at his prime weight if he would not step down to face Pacquiao at 140.

“At the right weight? No problem. At 147? Forget it,” Roach said. “Why? Manny doesn’t need it. Manny’s best weight is 140. He should take some time off and make a good decision. He needs some time off.”

Pacquiao promoter Arum said no decision about who Pacquiao faces next would be made until after Cotto’s next fight in July, just one week ahead of Mayweather’s return to the ring.

One person who thinks Pacquiao-Mayweather will happen sooner rather than later is Mayweather’s estranged father and Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr. He doubted there would be much talk about his son fighting Pacquiao.

“They probably aren’t going to be talking about it a long time,” he said. “They are probably going to be doing it.”

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/may/04/yehey/top_stories/20090504top2.html

Hatton Almost Wins In Las Vegas!

2009-05-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

Ricky Hatton did himself and his vast army of travelling fans proud here in Las Vegas in the early hours, when the Manchester-based boxer came to within a hairs-breadth of beating Manny Pacquiao in their light-welterweight championship bout at the MGM Grand.

The pre-fight hype had placed Hatton as the underdog, but he made a mockery of that, as he came storming out of his corner in the first round, landing shots left, right and centre - a couple of which connected - before taking a couple on the chin himself.

Spurred-on by 25,000 adoring fans from Manchester who had defied the economic downturn and raided their piggy banks to come and offer him their undying vocal support, Hatton took a breather to regain his strength during the first round, before coming out in the same attacking frame of mind in the second.

He lasted a huge 2 minutes and 59 seconds of that round before finally running out of steam, and was knocked into the middle of the week-after-next by the Filipino, who hadn't even bothered to remove his dressing-gown, so confident was he.

The defeat could mark the end for Hatton, who is only 30, but many fans told us that they wanted him to carry on, and that this wasn't the end of Ricky Hatton.

One staunch admirer, Barry Madd, from Chorlton-cum-Hardy, said:

"Wot a waste o' money! All this way f' 6 minutes! Jeeeezus Christ!"

Source: http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s6i52460

Pacquiao stuns Hatton with second-round KO

2009-05-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao turned in perhaps the most dominating performance of his career Saturday night, knocking Ricky Hatton down twice in the first round before finally stopping him with a ferocious left hand in the final seconds of the second round.

Pacquiao showed why he is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world with a stunning knockout that left Hatton lying motionless on his back in the middle of the ring.

Hatton had lost only once in his career, but he was no match for Pacquiao, who knocked him down midway through the first round and again towards the end of the round.

Hatton regrouped and made it through most of the second round before a chopping left hand sent him sprawling at 2:59 of the second round.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/03/ap6370382.html

Vegas Blow Out: Pac-Man KOs Hitman in Two

2009-05-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

I would like to remind everyone that there is nothing personal for this fight and we are just doing our job to give a good fight to the people and make them happy. -- Pacquiao

They call this the Battle of East and West. And our worlds will collide in the ring on Saturday night.. --Hatton

Manny Pacquaio wasted no time whatsoever as he landed hard straight shots early and then simply overwhelmed Ricky Hatton in the first round with two very punishing knock downs, the last coming at the end of the round (a dangerous time for a fighter to be hurt).

The second stanza started out with Ricky, his confidence badly shaken, resorting to roughhousing and manhandling. He was beginning to get back into the fight until Manny settled down and began landing hard lefts and rights from all angles until one backed up Ricky and served notice that the first round assault and battery would resume. Ricky, as is his wont, was unable to adjust to Manny’s all-out tenacious attack Then with just one second left in the round, Pac-Man caught Hitman with a fully leveraged left hook, and that was that as Ricky was unconscious before he hit the deck and remained so for several frightening minutes.

This was a scenario I did not expect. Though I did think Pac-Man would win, I expected some ebb and flow before Pac-Man would take control late in the fight. I did not expect the end to come in such a devastating and early fashion, particularly by a fighter moving up in weight.

With the loss, Hatton must seriously consider whether he wants to fight again. Knockouts like that can be career-enders for anyone and the way helooked on the canvas and walking back to his dressing room was worrisome to say the least.

Manny Pacquiao (now 49-3, with 37 KOs) continues to notch big names on his belt and continues to affirm the fact that he is the best P4P fighter in the world. Should Floyd Mayweather Jr. get by Juan Manuel Marquez in July (and I think he will), the right fight for both PBF and Pacquiao (and for the fans) would be against one another--and I already have a hunch as to who will win.

Source: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=19676&more=1

TV ads ‘knock out’ Pacquiao fans

2009-05-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

MANILA -- Mang Henry, an air-con technician, threw in the towel while he waited for GMA-7 network to air the historic Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight.

"I won't watch it on TV anymore. What time is it now? I already heard on radio that Pacquaio won," said Mang Henry in Filipino, declining to give the Philippine Daily Inquirer his last name.

Mang Henry said his excitement to watch the fight on TV waned after he waited for more than an hour for GMA-7 network to air the delayed telecast from Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Nawala ang thrill... Nakakainis [The thrill is gone. It's annoying]," Mang Henry said, adding that the string of commercials got on his nerves as well.

Instead of waiting for the fight, Mang Henry said he returned to work. He was not even keen on waiting for it to be aired on Sunday's evening telecast.

Oscar Dizon, an engineer, spent more than an hour in front of the TV anticipating the airing of the fight.

"Bakit ang tagal [Why is it taking too long]?" he asked.

His son, Raymund, had fallen asleep on the couch, while he waited for the telecast even if he had already seen the fight on pay-per-view earlier in the day.

The younger Dizon simply wanted to see for a second time famed British boxer Ricky Hatton fall in the middle of the canvass, knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in the second round.

GMA-7, the official media partner of the Pacquiao-Hatton fight, finally aired the delayed telecast of the main event at 2:03 p.m., two hours after Pacquiao knocked out his opponent.

It began with celebrity Martin Nievera singing the Philippine National anthem then immediately cut to a rundown of nearly 30 major and minor sponsors.

The telecast noticeably skipped Tom Jones singing "God Save the Queen," Britain's national anthem, and another singer's rendition of the United States anthem,"Star-Spangled Banner".

There were three commercial gaps before the telecast showed Pacquaio enter the arena.

Some gaps were as long as eight minutes and a portion of the introductions to the match lasted for only a minute before another commercial break.

Even after Michael Buffer announced that the arena was "ready to rumble," GMA 7 cut the telecast for another round of commercials.

Finally, at 2:41 pm, thousands of Filipinos waiting at their TV sets got to see Pacquiao pounce on Hatton.

A source familiar with the commercials aired over the fight's telecast told the Inquirer that placements for the TV ads had been assumed for six rounds of the match.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as she was not authorized to discuss details of the ad placements, said that industry standards dictate that ads would still follow the original placement schedule even if the fight ended at round 2.

She said a likely solution was to replay the two rounds until the original placement schedule was met.

The Inquirer tried to call GMA-7 for its side but as of press time, had not yet received any word from the network.

Whether the fight was seen on delayed telecast, pay-per-view or at the malls, many Pacquiao supporters said it ended much too soon as they wanted to see more action from the Filipino champion -- now certifiably the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Pasig City resident Roger Degollado was at the Robinson's Galleria cinema as early as 7:30 a.m. with his two sons to watch the fight.

Along with other fans, they endured a four-hour wait, watching an HBO documentary on Pacquaio and Hatton and the undercard matches before the main event finally went on screen.

"It was all over after a few minutes!" Degollado said, adding that the first round already had fans cheering Pacquiao wildly after his punches visibly disoriented Hatton.

It was a good thing, the Degollados said, they had complimentary tickets for the otherwise pricey match.

It was a sentiment, the said, shared by other fans who watched at the cinema.

"On our way out, we heard people say it was a good thing their tickets were from a major sponsor," said Degollado's son.

Source: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090503-202834/TV-ads-knock-out-Pacquiao-fans

Pacquiao fans create record crowd at World Resort

2009-05-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Despite an initial report of slow ticket sales, fans of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao turned up in record numbers yesterday to watch his fight against United Kingdom's Ricky Hatton live via satellite at the Saipan World Resort.

Though a little bit disappointed because it ended quickly, the predominantly Filipino crowd brought the house down at the Taga Hall and Red Box Sports Bar when Pacquiao knocked out Hatton during the second round of their bout.

Mark Birmingham of MCV Broadband said it was the biggest ever crowd for them, exceeding the crowd that watched the Pacquiao-Oscar Dela Hoya match last October.

Pacquiao knocked out Hatton in the second round with a powerful left to the head that sent the English fighter to the canvass during their 140-lb title bout at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

MCV Broadband now expects a bigger crowd in the next Pacquiao fight, especially in the event of a deal with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather was the undisputed pound-for-pound boxer before his retirement a few years back.

“We are happy. We need to increase the seats next time. We need a bigger venue,” said Birmingham.

Birmingham said they did not really expect people to come and watch but yesterday's tickets were sold out at the doors.

Gov. Benigno Fitial was one of those who watched at the Red Box Sports Bar.

Ronald Sanchez, Saipan World Resort's banquet and restaurant manager, said those who came to watch the fight exceeded the capacity for both the general admission and the VIP Room.

For businessman John Jones, the 3-1 odds for Pacquiao could actually have been 10-1.

“Pacquiao is such an amazing fighter. He's got real determination to win. He fights from his heart and soul,” Jones said.

Saipan long-time resident and court reporter Patricia A. Garshak said Hatton was no match for Pacquiao.

“Manny Pacquiao is a heart and soul fighter, just like the Latino fighters,” said Garshak, who is a native of Puerto Rico.

Hatton had too much expectations of himself but there was so much difference between the two fighters.

“There's no way Pacquiao could lose because, no matter what, he must win any fight. Latino fighters have the same motivation. They fight from their humble beginnings,” she said.

Jones said he closely watched the pre-fight viewing and learned a lot about the Filipino fighter.

“I like that part and the photos were very good,” Jones said.

MARPAC's Jojo Camacho said they are glad the fans came out and they are looking forward to the next Pacquiao fight.

Birmingham said Pacquiao is now the biggest boxer in the United States.

“Pacquiao keeps getting better and better,” said James Matsumoto of Wells Fargo.

“I'm just a fan but I like the way he takes care of his fights. There's no doubt that he's the best in the world now. He keeps on listening and concentrates on training,” Matsumoto said.

He said that unlike others who begin to lose control when they reach the top, Pacquiao is the opposite.

Matsumoto said Pacquiao won not only because of his speed but also because he is more powerful this time.

“I think the key for the win is that he's a humble fighter,” he said.

Mike Cruz of the Fil-Taga Golf Association joked that the fight was “not worth it.”

“I paid more and watched less,” he grinned.

He said he had predicted that the fight will last seven rounds and that the two fighters will get tired first before Pacquiao achieves victory.

Source: http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=89940&cat=1

Pacquiao's Hatton hammer blow leaves new champion sore

2009-05-03T16:29:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao admitted his hand was still feeling a little bruised two hours after a booming left hook knocked out Ricky Hatton in the second round of their eagerly awaited showdown on Saturday.

The Filipino challenger claimed the IBO light-welterweight title after sending Hatton sprawling to the canvas twice in the opening round before knocking him out cold with one second remaining in the next.

"I believe it was a very hard punch," Pacquiao told reporters after improving his career record to 49-3-2 with 37 knockouts. "My hand still hurts."

Hatton's assistant trainer Lee Beard said: "There was nothing Ricky could do. He got caught with a few good shots, he got back up and then obviously he got caught with that one big shot at the end."

Although Pacquiao was widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Hatton was believed to hold a size advantage at his natural weight of 140 pounds in a division where he had never previously lost.

However, Pacquiao always believed he would prove to be the stronger man.

"Before the fight, a lot of people think Ricky Hatton's bigger than me but I didn't put that in my mind," said the 30-year-old, who weighed only 106 pounds on his professional debut.

"I still believe that my body's bigger than Ricky. But with respect, he's still a good fighter."

Continue reading here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE5420O320090503

PACQUIAO WATCH: Manny in devastating KO win

2009-05-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

FILIPINO beakbuster Manny Pacquiao broke many Englishmen’s hearts by dealing their countryman his most devastating defeat with a spectacular second round knockout to wrest the Ring Magazine’s welterweight crown from the kid from Manchester Ricky Hatton.

The end came via a powerful left hook late in the second round which sent Hatton crashing into his back. Referee Kenny Bayless immediately waived his hands up in the air to end the fight.

Hatton lay motionless for several minutes, his eyes rolling over as his handlers tried to revive him.

Pacquiao was a favorite coming into the fight but many never expected the bout to end so soon.

The Filipino boxing sensation made it clear right in the first round that it would be a short and pitiful night for Hatton.

The man from Manchester tried to establish his rhythm by crowding Pacquiao at the opening bell and throwing his vaunted body punches but Manny deftly danced out of harm’s way and landed the first telling blow with a thundering right hook in the early going which untracked Hatton.

He would mix up his punches with left straights.

With barley 40 seconds left in the first canto, Manny uncorked a powerful right hook off a missed jab from Hatton.

It sent Hatton on all fours with his forehead touching the canvass.

Hatton rose at the count of eight but a worried face was splashed all over the television.

Manny chased him and Hatton tried to answer back.

But with 12 seconds left, a one-two combo attack capped by a signature left straight from Manny sent Hatton crashing down into his own corner with just the lower rung of the ring preventing his head from touching the canvass.

Referee Bayless again gave Hatton the mandatory eight count and the two trade punches when the bell sounded for the first round.

Ricky Hatton was still visibly hurting during the break as he kept nodding to the advices from his corner men.

He was again in his element at the beginning of the second round and tried to lure Manny into a phone booth brawl.

But it was not meant to be. Manny wisely hugged Hatton while covering his face with his left hand.

Then the climactic ending came.

A right jab set up Hatton for a left straight that looked like a hybrid of a left hook.

Hatton fell on the canvass with a big thud like the proverbial London Bridge.

With the win, Manny joined the rarefied circle of boxing greats who won world titles in at least five different weight categories.

Pacquiao, who started as a light flyweight, had captured world crowns in the flyweight, superbantamweight, super featherweight, lightweight in addition to the welterweight title he wrested from Hatton.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum proclaimed Pacquiao as “the greatest fighter to have ever lived.”

That may be a little too early but with only a megafight with former world pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. looming in the horizon as a stumbling block to that accolade, Manny’s greatness as one of the most devastating punchers in modern times is now cemented and etched in the hallowed walls of Las Vegas, the Mecca of world class boxing.

Mayweather has signified his interest to fight the winner of the Pacquiao-Hatton bout.

That fight could come in the fall when Mayweather Jr. shall already have his tune up fight in the summer.

It was the first time I watched Manny’s fight live on cable outside of General Santos City.

In Cagayan de Oro City, virtually all villages in the heart of the city set up widescreen viewings – for free – for residents in their respective areas.

At the square center of Cogon public market four big television sets were already mounted as early as 6:00 in allowing marketgoers unhampered view from four sides.

Betting was heavy in favor of Pacquiao ending the fight as early as the third round.

When the first two knockdowns were registered against Hatton in the first round, audiences already saw the end coming just as long-time Pacquiao coach Freddie Roach correctly predicted.

The Englishman now knows what others have known before him.

That Manny’s speed is like no other and that while Manny may miss the bullseye on the dartboard inside Hatton’s pubhouse, his punches are as good as a ‘bulls out’ in a 501 game of darts.

That Hatton only lasted two rounds against Manny should sent a message across the boxing world that a new king has emerged in the world of boxing.

That his win over Oscar de la Hoya was by no means a fluke.

That Manny ably filled up the void left behind by de la Hoya who chose to retire after being handed out his most lopsided loss by the Filipino puncher-slugger turned into sweet-punching executioner.

The mantle has been passed and it fitted to a T with Manny’s recent decisively and clinical conquest of Hatton.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-24047.html

BREAKING: Boxer Hatton may quit after brutal knock out

2009-05-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

BOXER Ricky Hatton's career looked to be over today after he was brutally knocked out in the second round by Filipino Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
For more sport updates keep visiting our web site and read The Star Monday to Saturday.

The Mancunian, who took 25,000 fans to watch him, was floored by a crushing left hook with one second remaining in the second round of their Light-welterweight world title fight.

Hatton, previously unbeaten in the 140 pounds division, was battered to the canvas twice in the first round before he was finally poleaxed at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Referee Kenny Bayless took one look at the prone boxer and immediately ended the fight as Hatton's corner rushed into the ring to attend to their fighter. There was immediate concern for the fighter's health.

Fiancee Jennifer Dooley, watching from ringside, screamed out when he took the punch. His worried family, devoted supporters, and millions of fight fans watching on TV looked on in horror as Hatton appeared to struggle to regain consciousness.

He was on his back, on the canvas, for at least three minutes before he was helped onto a stool brought into the middle of the ring.

Hatton was well enough to walk unaided from the ring, back to his dressing room, albeit minus his IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight title belts. But there were no interviews with him as he was taken for a hospital check up.

Depending on his health, he is expected to hold a press conference and answer questions about his future later today.

Pacquiao, who went to his corner to mutter a prayer after the shot, was clearly thinking of Hatton as he gave his post-fight interview with medical treatment still being given to the defeated man.

"I'm always doing my job in the ring, doing my best to make people happy. It's nothing personal for me, I'm just doing my job,'' he said.

Pacquiao, who had been escorted into the ring by WWE wrestling champ Batista, launched wild celebrations among his devoted fans – who would now like to se him battle Floyd Mayweather Jr, who announced yesterday he was coming out of retirement.

Both have beaten Hatton and are arguably the best "pound for pound" fighters in the world today.

Asked whether he might want a shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr, Pacquiao said he would take on anyone.

He said: "I can fight anybody, it will depend on my promoters. I'm just a fighter, doing my job, training and keeping at 100%."

Hatton, whose record now stands at 45-2, had been all business as he entered the ring while Pacquiao, now 49-3-2 (37 KOs), walked into the arena with a big grin on his face before reaching his corner and kneeling to pray.

Pacquiao had plenty of reasons to smile after a first round in which he launched an all-out assault, twice sending the Englishman to the canvas.

Hatton had started brightly, landing his jab as promised but he was soon on the backfoot as the Filipino warmed to his task.

In a torrid final minute, a right hook caught Hatton on the chin and sent him to the deck. He took the majority of the count from referee Kenny Bayless on his knees before rising calmly to his feet but with 40 seconds left to the bell he was quickly in trouble again.

A straight left sent Hatton onto the floor in front of his corner and this time he rose he had the relief of hearing the bell.

Hatton again began the second round well and appeared to rock Pacquiao back on his heels early on but he would not have him in trouble again.

Pacquiao believes the Englishman did not know what had hit him as he unleashed his devastating trademark left hook.

Pacquiao claimed Hatton had played into his strategy by trying to avoid his left hook, only to discover that he has a very strong right as well.

* Ricky's brother Matthew Hatton stayed on course for his IBO welterweight title fight later this year when scored a unanimous points victory over Mexico's Ernesto Zepeda at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. Hatton moved his professional record to 36-4-1 (13 KOs) by outpointing veteran Zepeda, who saw his record slip to 39-12-4 (34 KOs).

Earlier in the evening, Manchester featherweight Joe Murray continued his winning start to life in the paid ranks with a unanimous decision victory over Californian Missael Nunez.

The 2008 Olympian followed his successful pro debut on March 28 by winning all four rounds on the judges' scorecards.

Source: http://www.thestar.co.uk/sportheadlines/BREAKING-Boxer-Hatton-may-quit.5230459.jp

Hitman's fans stunned by knockout

2009-05-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

"There's only one Ricky Hatton," goes the British fighter's anthem.

But there needed to be two, three or four Ricky Hattons in the ring on Saturday night to cope with the phenomenal Filipino Manny Pacquiao.

Pacman, as he is known back home in the Philippines, gobbled up the Hitman with an awesome array of punches at dazzling speed, and a final fearsome left hook.

Hatton crashed to the canvas with a second to go in the second round, never looking likely to beat the count.

'Shocked and gutted'

The Mancunian hero was later taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.

It was a stunning ending to the fight and shocked the 20,000 or so Hatton fans who had ignored the economic hard times to travel to Las Vegas to see their hero.

Rob Melbourne, from London, was in the arena with his girlfriend Katie Audsley and he said: "We're shocked and gutted. I can't believe it happened."

But he added: "Total respect to Manny Pacquiao, he totally outclassed him."

Katie said: "I'm still pleased we came all the way out here because the atmosphere was amazing."

Neither of them wanted to see Hatton forced into retirement after such a performance and Katie said: "He has to go out with a win. He mustn't go out like that."

Tim Marshall, an expat who lives in Tokyo, said he felt Hatton looked tense beforehand while Pacquiao looked "super-relaxed".

'Just too quick'

He said: "After he was knocked down twice in the first round it was just a question of when and not if he lost."

For him there is a silver lining. "My wife Lori is Filipino. She's stayed at home with the kids but she will be very happy.

"Pacquiao has done the Philippines proud. The whole place comes to a standstill when he's fighting and the fight was shown live on TV there with thousands in the street."

As for Hatton, Tim thinks he needs to think long and hard about whether he should continue in the fight game after such a devastating defeat.

Bal Johal and his friends Surjit Rai and Gee Punia, all from London, were in despair.

Bal said: "We came over for the Malignaggi fight but this time we are so disappointed. There was 100% effort on Ricky's part but Pacquiao was just too quick."

Would it ruin their weekend, I asked.

"No. This is the party capital of the world. We knew Ricky was the underdog and we are still determined to enjoy the weekend," said Bal.

While thousands of British fans went off to drown their sorrows in the bars and fleshpots of Sin City, their Filipino counterparts prepared to party into the night.

Joseph Palmes had travelled all the way from South Cotabato - the same province where Pacquiao hails from - just for the fight and he was overjoyed.

"Nobody beats Pacman. He is the strongest and the fastest," he beamed.

So who next for the mighty Pacman?

Floyd Mayweather, the only man to have previously beaten Hatton, looms large on the horizon after he announced earlier in the day he was coming out of retirement to fight Juan Manuel Marquez in July.

At the press conference after the fight, promoter Bob Arum said: "If Mayweather wants to pick on a little Filipino, just be my guest."

Pacquiao-Mayweather would be another monster fight and there is little doubting who most of Ricky Hatton's fans will be rooting for.

In victory Pacquiao was as charismatic and humble as Mayweather was arrogant and insensitive.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8031286.stm

Pacquiao the Destroyer Rules Ring

2009-05-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS -- At the end of the day, it wasn't that Floyd Mayweather Jr. failed to do what it appeared he'd done earlier Saturday, which was steal the thunder from the first big pay-per-view boxing event of the year by announcing his much-rumored return to the ring from a 17-month respite. Mayweather's Saturday afternoon press conference did, indeed, overshadow the junior-welterweight championship bout scheduled Saturday night between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.

But something transpired Saturday evening that even Mayweather couldn't have anticipated. Pacquiao snatched back everyone's attention, stealing back his own thunder, with a second-round knockout of Hatton that was so devastating it left some observers temporarily in fear for Hatton's well-being. It was nothing sort of Tyson-esque

Pacquiao landed a perfect left hook on Hatton's chin just before the bell sounded. It turned off Hatton's senses and left him lying on his back as if about to be wheeled away on a gurney. It was several minutes before he was revived and brought to his feet. He was later whisked to a hospital for examination.

"I told Ricky don't get discouraged by this because there's nobody out there who can beat this little Filipino," Bob Arum boasted when it was all over. "Oscar De La Hoya on his best night couldn't beat Manny Pacquiao."

It wasn't just Pacquiao's final punch, however, that made everyone take notice. It was his utter domination of Hatton in the five minutes and 59 seconds that Hatton lasted with him between the ropes.

Hatton never had a chance. Hatton didn't even look like he belonged. He looked like the glorified club fighter some boxing lifers suggested he was all along.

Source: http://kevin-blackistone.fanhouse.com/2009/05/03/pacquiao-the-destroyer-sends-message/

Chunks of History

2009-05-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

For the third time in his career, Manny Pacquiao was involved in a fight which had a historical and linear world title belt on the line from Ring Magazine.

The first was in November 2003 when he beat Marco Antonio Barrera for the Ring Magazine featherweight world title. Last March 2008, when he beat Juan Manuel Maquez for the WBC superfeatherweight world title, he was also considered the world 130 lb. champion by the publication considered as Boxings bible because Pacquiao and Marquez were ranked by the Ring as the top two in the division.

Pacquiao took the Ring magazine junior welterweight title from Britain's Ricky The Hitman Hatton with an electrifying two round blitzkrieg that shocked most boxing pundits who were expecting a more competitive bout. Hatton walked into a right hook in the first round, got up and fell down again after a lightning barrage but was saved by the bell. In the second, like all recent Pacman opponents, Hatton could not see Pacquiao's left coming for his jaw.

This places Pacquiao in a lofty place in boxing history. The likes of Henry Armstrong and Bob Fitzimmons won undisputed titles in three different weights during the time when there was still only one world sanctioning body.

Incredibly, Pacquiao has fought in four weight categories in a span of fifteen months and won world titles in three of them.
Aside from the Ring magazine belts, he has also won four world titles from the major sanctioning bodies - the WBC flyweight, IBF superbantamweight, WBC superfeatherweight and WBC lightweight in his fourteen year professional career. He is also the first Asian boxer to be ranked number one best fighter pound per pound in the world.

Ring magazine as a publication started in 1922 and started their own championship policy in 2002.

The junior welterweight division lineage started in 1925 with James Herring as its first champion. Roberto Cruz was the first Filipino to win the world junior welterweight championship when he knocked out Battling Torres of Mexico in a single round in a bout held in Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles in 1963 when the original WBA was the lone boxing sanctioning body.

The title was split when the WBC was created and Pedro Adigue of the Philippines became the first WBC jr.welterweight titlist in 1968 when he beat Adolf Pruitt of the U.S. by 15 round decision in a bout held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The WBA continued to recognize Nicolino Locche as its champion then he lost to Peppermint Frazier in 1972. The titles remained split since as the IBF emerged during the mid-1980s. The WBO started in 1988 while the IBO, whose belt Hatton also held, started during the late eighties and evolved as an organization during the early 1990's.

Other Filipinos who won titles at 140 pounds include Morris East (WBA 1992).

Kotsya Tszyu finally unified the titles again when he beat Miguel Angel Gonzales for the WBC belt in 1999, Sharmba Mitchell for the WBA title in 2000 and Zab Judah for the IBF belt in 2001.

When Tzsyu lost to Ricky Hatton by 11th round TKO in 2005, the linear title was passed on to the British fighter. Titles are won and lost inside the ring after all thus Pacquiao can lay claim to the lineage. Pacquiao has now distinguished himself in six weight divisions. Not bad for a guy who started at light flyweight.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-24043.html

Pacman packs punch at any weight

2009-05-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS - Manny Pacquiao really does pack a punch, as he proved again with three knockdowns and ultimately a knockout of Ricky Hatton on Saturday in capturing the Ring magazine and IBO junior welterweight titles.

"This win was as big as my last fight against Oscar De La Hoya," Pacquiao said.

Already considered by many boxing's best fighter, Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) silenced skeptics with an early power supply of concussive bombs against the normally iron-chinned Hatton (45-2, 32 KOs) before more than 17,000 screaming fans at the MGM Grand.

Many doubted the Filipino southpaw had the ability to carry his power to the junior welterweight division, though he was coming off a technical knockout win over De La Hoya in December.

Hatton and his trainer, Floyd Mayweather, were convinced Pacquiao was too small.

"I really thought Ricky could get him," Mayweather said.

Pacquiao worked for two months preparing for the move to the junior welterweight division. He already had world titles in the flyweight, junior featherweight, junior lightweight, and lightweight divisions. Now he has junior welterweight titles, too.

In the first round Hatton moved in aggressively against Pacquiao and immediately worked the inside. Both traded punches, with the Englishman landing frequently in the first 40 seconds until Pacquiao countered with a left hand. Suddenly, as Hatton lunged in, a Pacquiao right hook to the chin dropped him to his knees.

Hatton got up shakily but beat the count. With less than 30 seconds left in the round, a left hand dropped Hatton again near his own corner. He beat the count and the round ended.

Hatton jumped out of his corner for the second round and immediately attacked Pacquiao. A right uppercut landed, but Pacquiao countered with some combinations. The lefty brushed Hatton's face with a right jab, then loaded up an overhand left on Hatton's chin. Down he went with a thud and he did not get up for more than a minute.

Referee Kenny Bayless did not bother to count and stopped the fight at 2:59 of the second round.

"We worked hard on the right hook," Pacquiao said. "We knew he was looking for the left hand."

Freddie Roach, who's trained Pacquiao for eight years, had predicted his fighter would win in less than three rounds. He finally revealed his reason.

"Every time he throws a punch he cocks it," Roach said. "We were ready."

Though Pacquiao was confident of his plan, even he was "surprised it came so easy."

"But we worked on it very hard," he said. "This wasn't personal, it was business."

Hatton was taken to the hospital after the fight.

"It was a hard shot but I'm OK," Hatton said. "I really didn't see the punch coming. It was a great shot."

Other Bouts

WBC junior lightweight champion Humberto Soto caught Daniel Gaudet with a right uppercut that proved the beginning of the Canadian fighter's end.

He survived the count but was met with a jab and right cross that sent him reeling along the ropes and to the canvas. Referee Jay Nady stopped the fight at 2:25 of the ninth round.

In a middleweight bout, Daniel Jacobs (16-0, 14 KOs) found Michael Walker (20-2, 12 KOs) no easy foe, winning an eight-round decision. Jacobs was taller but could not muster enough power to discourage Walker.

Source: http://www.pe.com/sports/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_vegas_fight_03.4635b12.html

Pacquiao-Hatton: Lance Pugmire's round-by-round observations

2009-05-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

With a sellout MGM Grand Garden crowd of 16,262 -- including Jack Nicholson, Jay-Z, Adam Sandler, Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington and P. Diddy -- watching after paying a combined $8.8 million, the British throng supporting Ricky Hatton roared and sang support to their countryman as Tom Jones sang "God Save the Queen." Pacquiao was greeted less vocally by fewer fans waving Philippines flags, but his wife saluted him as their anthem played, clasping her hands together and looking upward. News from dressing rooms reveals Pacquiao weighs 148 pounds and Hatton is at 152, making the Brit the largest fighter the Filipino has ever battled.

ROUND 1
What happened: Pacquiao, seeking a historic triumph that would give him a record fourth lineal division championship -- being the man who beat the successor to the last unified champion -- and tie Oscar De La Hoya's record six division titles, scored two knockdowns in the first round after withstanding early charges from Hatton.

In the first minutes, Hatton tried to hold Pacquiao with his left arm and pound him with his right. Pacquiao, however, came well prepared for Hatton's right hook, trainer Freddie Roach said in the ring afterward, and soon began scoring. Back-to-back lefts struck Hatton, a strong right hook followed, and then came a big combination. Pacquiao landed a right jab, then unleashed the fight's master plan.

Roach said he studied Hatton fight tapes for two months and found that Hatton "pumps his hands before he punches. . . . I studied every tape. I know him like I know my own fighter. . . . He's a sucker for the right hook." Sure enough, Hatton was floored in the final minute of the round by a Pacquiao right hook that struck the Brit "right on the button" as one ringside observer said. Seconds later, Pacquiao sized up his foe and delivered a straight left that sent Hatton down near the corner turnbuckle where his December 2007 knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. ended. Hatton got up in the final second and received a brief minute-long respite

Pugmire's take: Like Roach predicted early on when he called for a third-round KO, it was clear Hatton came into the ring with no effective game plan against the assault that boxing's best fighter brought. Pacquiao's punching speed and fury so belies his easiness and polite demeanor outside the ring. He proved himself again a brilliant tactician and powerful puncher at his very peak.

The judges: Michael Pernick, 10-7; C.J. Ros, 10-7; Glenn Trowbridge, 10-7.

ROUND 2

What happened: A quick end. Hatton showed early life in the round, barging toward Pacquiao. You could see Hatton turning to the emergency plan: turn this into a street fight. Pacquiao would have none of it, backing away, ducking a punch and hammering Hatton. He then shot two double left hooks at Hatton.

Hatton tried again to hold and hit, but referee Kenny Bayless told him to stop. Pacquiao goes back to work with a jab-jag-left, then threw a scoring left.

Pacquiao glanced at the celebrities in the crowd and raised his eyebrows, the way he does when he's showing off at his home base, Hollywood's Wild Card gym. He hit Hatton with a right to the body.

Then the end. Hatton was standing upward and Pacquiao unleashed a big left hook that stands as the most impressive blow in a big fight in years. Hatton crashed to the canvas, out cold, as Bayless waved quickly for medical assistance. The ref never even counted to one. "He could've counted to 100," a ringside observer said. The knockout came with one second left in the round.

Pugmire's take: Hours earlier, when Mayweather announced he was returning from retirement to take on Juan Manuel Marquez in July, he made a point of saying he'd be bowling with his daughter during the Pacquiao fight and cautioned reporters to "not get all crazy" if Pacquiao wins because Mayweather had been the first to knock out Hatton, in the 10th round, in December 2007.

The fact that Pacquiao needed eight fewer rounds, and beat the Brit with a punch that was far more devastating than Mayweather's own impressive final blow, ensures that Pacquiao indeed stands as the best in the world and sets up boxing's next Super Bowl: Pacquiao-Mayweather.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-roundbyround3-2009may03,0,1607623.story

Pacquiao Dominates Hatton, Captures 6th World Title

2009-05-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS, NV – MANNY Pacquiao showed everyone why he is the pound-for-pound best boxer in the world.

In front of a sold out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday night, Pacquiao made quick work of Ricky Hatton, the 140-pound IBF Light Welterweight Champion. Pacquiao knocked the British champion down twice in the first round before finishing him off in the second.

“I mean I am surprised that it was that easy, but the fighter [Hatton] fights hard,” said Pacquiao after the fight. “Our strategy was the one punch. Left hook. Right hook. That was going to be the key to this fight.”

Pacquiao executed the game plan with perfection.

In the first round, Hatton started aggressively. He charged Pacquiao, clinched and threw short body blows. However, Pacquiao answered back. Pacquiao gained some distance and threw a quick left hook to the head that stunned the British champion.

He landed a few more combinations before knocking down the British fighter with a right hook to the chin midway through the first round. With the Filipino crowd on its feet, British fans were in disbelief.

Pacquiao pounced on Hatton again a few moments later. This time, Pacquiao landed a left hook to the head of Hatton, immediately felling the Englishman.

Pacquiao finished off Hatton in the subsequent round. Pacquiao landed a left hook on the chin and below Hatton’s earlobe, a textbook knockout punch. Hatton was immediately out before he fell to the canvas.

The referee immediately waved the fight over at 2:59 in round two.

“I was just doing my job in the ring and doing my best to make the people happy,” said Pacquiao. “Nothing personal, I am just doing my job. I am satisfied. I am always trying my best in the ring and make a good impression on the people.”

Hatton was not made available for comment. Hatton was rushed to the hospital for precautionary measures.

Before the match, Roach predicted a Pacquiao knockout in three, he’ll settle for two.

“Manny is unbelievable,” said Roach at the press conference. “I’m the best trainer in the world because I have the best fighter in the world.”

Roach said that Hatton was very predictable. Coming into the fight, Roach saw a tell in Hatton’s style.

“Every time he throws the left hook and cocks it, he is wide open for the right hook from the southpaw stance,” Roach explained. “We worked on that every day in the gym and it just worked beautifully.”

I knew it was over,” added Roach. “Ricky fights the same way over and over. He doesn’t have the ability to adjust. I watched the tapes over and over the last few months. I know him as well as I know my fighters.”

The win catapults Pacquiao in the boxing history books. Pacquiao becomes the first Asian to capture six world titles in six different weight division - flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and now, junior welterweight.

Who’s Next?

The morning of the Hatton vs. Pacquiao fight, former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced he would come back to the boxing ring. Mayweather Jr. is set to face Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on July 18.

The winner may possibly be Pacquiao’s next opponent.

Roach said that they are willing to fight anybody – Sugar Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, and Mayweather Jr.

Many fans are expecting Mayweather jr. to face off against Pacquiao.

Top Rank President Bob Arum said of the possible future matches, bring it on.

“If Mayweather jr. wants a piece of this little Filipino, just be my guest,” said Arum.

Source: http://www.asianjournal.com/dateline-usa/15-dateline-usa/1787-pacquiao-dominates-hatton-captures-6th-world-title.html

There is only ONE Manny Pacquiao

2009-05-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

He lost his 12th professional fight by third round knock-out in his homeland of the Philippines.

Thirteen fights later, rebounding, he captured his first world title as a flyweight via 8th round knock-out against Chatchai Sasakul in Thailand.

In his second defense of the belt, at twenty-years of age, Medgoen Singsurat knocked him out in the third round.

Seven wins later, the young fighter caught the eyes of American fight fans for the first time on the under card of Oscar De La Hoya's bout with Javier Castillejo, as he stopped Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in six rounds to capture a super bantamweight title.

In his next fight, I saw him for the first time in a tough technical draw against the now deceased Dominican tough man Agapito Sanchez. The fight was stopped due to a cut that was produced near his eye by a headbutt in the second round...I was not impressed.

On July 26, 2003, he made me wrong for the first of many times. Going into a fight against then undefeated Emannuel Lucero, I picked against him. He knocked out Lucero for a victory.

His next fight, he did the impossible, ruined my birthday and knocked out the then seemingly untouchable featherweight kingpin (and my favorite boxer, of the time) Marco Antonio Barrera. Now title changed hands, but he was the best featherweight in the world.

Immediately after testing Barrera, he jumped in with an unsung Mexican pugilist by the name of Juan Manuel Marquez and quickly dumped the master boxer three times in the first round en route to a memorable draw.

The following year, Tijuana toughman Erik Morales took a spirited decision from him. Some who thought he was over-rated, felt the end was near for the rising star.

To his credit, he then went and beat Morales, decisively by knock-out two times and captured another world title, now at super featherweight.

But the doubters kept asking what about him giving Barrera and Marquez another opportunity, surely, lightening could not strike twice?

It did, he defeated Barrera and Marquez, again, in that order

To make his legend grow even larger and his countrymen adore him even more, he captured a lightweight title against David Diaz by stoppage in the 9th.

Lightweight was not enough, as he then faced the man who all of boxing wanted to fight at the time, for the money, but he made it about the glory, Oscar De La Hoya.

I predicted the larger De La Hoya would brutalize him, and make him do a "chicken dance" after a receiving a left-hook to the head; I was wrong.

This small man from humble beginnings, who carried the hopes of a nation of his shoulder, and who was physically much smaller than the bigger De La Hoya, but who has a larger heart, made "The Golden Boy" quit on his stool.

Had he accomplished enough? No, there were still doubters.

He beat an older De La Hoya, he needs to fight a larger man with a pulse, many fans and experts argued.

In came Ricky Hatton, the true "king" of the junior welterweights.

Guess what? Tonight in Las Vegas, Nevada, before thousands of Ricky Hatton's fans and countrymen, he knocked out the Brit in two rounds.

There is only one him.

There is only one Manny Pacquiao.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2850-LA-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d2-There-is-only-ONE-Manny-Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao's fists are loaded, and his bouts are a lock

2009-05-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao can no longer be identified as a boxer. Lethal weapon, maybe. Or destroyer missile. Whatever the definition, he is unquestionably the sport's top gun.

What he did to Ricky Hatton on Saturday night, in a boxing ring at the MGM Grand Garden, before a crowd of 16,262 and millions more all over the world watching on pay-per-view, was mostly mayhem. The man from Manchester was manhandled.

British fans who swoop down on this city every time Hatton fights -- which is three times since December 2007 -- serenaded him into the ring as usual, with the now-annoying version of "Winter Wonderland" that begins: "There's only one Ricky Hatton."

They were right. He was the only one who ended up on his back in the middle of the ring.

The fight summary is one paragraph. Pacquiao knocked Hatton down twice in the first round, dominated the second and caught Hatton with a vicious left hook as the round ticked down. Hatton's eyes rolled back and his body fell, like a sack of potatoes, flat on his back. Referee Kenny Bayless knelt over him for several seconds, then waved his hands, with one second left in the round, to signify that the fight was over.

The aftermath was a bit scary. Hatton didn't move right away, and soon there were many people with concerned looks on their faces, kneeling and hovering. Hatton may have been on his back longer than he was on his feet during the fight.

Eventually, they brought his stool to the middle of the ring and got him on it, and a few minutes later he left the ring under his own power, waving feebly to a crowd of Brit fans who may have been driven to drink by the result. Of course, any result would have driven them to drink.

Pacquiao, the Filipino powerhouse whose record went to 49-3-2 (with 37 knockouts), weighed in Friday at 138 pounds and went to 148 by fight time. Hatton, now 45-2-0 (with 32 knockouts), weighed in at the limit of 140 and gained 12 pounds by fight time.

A measure of how dominant Pacquiao has become is that this victory marked his fourth different weight-class win in the last 14 months. His previous conquest, of boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds, sent De La Hoya into retirement. Hatton is only 30, two months older than Pacquiao, but may be pondering a similar path. The pubs of Manchester are a lot safer than Pacquiao's left hand.

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, now the pound-for-pound best corner man in his sport, pretty much called the shot again, just as he had against De La Hoya on Dec. 6. He said Pacquiao would knock Hatton out in the third round. Pacquiao apparently had earlier dinner reservations.

"This fight was no surprise to me," Roach said.

The star trainer always seems to have a secret strategy, and he revealed afterward that, for this one, he had watched hours of film of Hatton -- "I knew him better than my own fighter," he said -- and realized that Hatton was wide open for the right hook.

"Hatton pumps his fist before he throws," Roach said. "We also knew he'd be looking for the left," Pacquiao's main weapon.

The first knockdown in the first round came via a right, the second with a left. Hatton had actually survived somewhat better in the second, despite Pacquiao's quickly evident superior hand speed, foot speed and punching power. But the left that finished him started at about 7 o'clock, landed on Hatton's face at about 12 noon and made the likely obvious result official.

Hatton didn't attend the post-match news conference, because he was taken to Valley Hospital. Before he left, he said, "It was a hard lot, but I'm OK. I really didn't see the punch coming, but it was a good shot."

Pacquiao, ever the diplomat, said, "I'm surprised the fight was so easy. I worked hard in training camp and he was open for the right all night. It was nothing personal. I was just doing my job."

Bob Arum, whose Top Rank Promotions handles Pacquiao, called his boxer "a monster" afterward, and started making noises about Pacquiao's becoming boxing's "all-time great."

Two things to consider there. As a promoter, Arum is wired for hyperbole. But also, he is no newcomer to this and began his career promoting no less than Muhammad Ali.

The only thing that might stop Pacquiao now is his desire to become a prominent government official someday soon in his beloved Philippines. There is even talk of the presidency someday.

Were that to happen now, it would make Pacquiao the answer to the trivia question: Which country has a president even more popular than Barack Obama?

For Hatton, a nice guy and tough competitor who is also beloved in his country, there may not be a lot of return trips upcoming.

Which, of course, will send the beer distributors of Las Vegas into deep depression.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-pacquiao-hatton3-2009may03,0,7932325.column

So easy for Pac Man

2009-05-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao admitted even he was surprised by the ease of his win over Ricky Hatton.

The Filipino knocked his man out cold after 2.59 of the second round in the Las Vegas showdown to determined who was the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

Click here for full fight report

There is now absolutely no doubt following a whirlwind fight which saw Hatton floored twice in the opening round before being chillingly knocked out with a vicious left hook at the end of the next session.

"I was surprised that this was so easy but I've worked hard in training camp since the beginning of March," said Pacquiao.

"He was wide open for the right hook. I knew he would be looking for my left.

"It's nothing personal. I was just doing my job. This is as big for me as the De La Hoya win."
Sucker

The victory was also a personal triumph for trainer Freddie Roach.

The Wild Card supremo predicted his man would blitz Hatton in three rounds and even though he changed his mind closer to the fight, was proved right.

And it meant he emerged victorious from his feud with Floyd Mayweather Snr in the opposite corner and like Pacquiao, now stands alone at the top of his profession.

"This was no surprise," he said.

"Hatton pumps his hands before he throws a punch. He is a sucker for the right hook and this is what we worked on.

"He cocks back before he throws his punches. He fights the same way over and over.

"I studied tapes of all his fights for the last two months and I know him as well as I know my own fighter."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/hatton/story/0,25890,13303_5272860,00.html

Pacquiao Aims for Four (and Six): Real History - Thoughts

2009-04-30T16:46:00.000-07:00

The old timers are right of course.

They look around at the fighters in recent times collecting belts in an assortment of weight classes and say, “It’s not the same as it used to be.”

While the idea that titles were once always undisputed is flawed, the term “World Champion” still meant one guy more often than not prior to the 1960s and into today. In our time, stats and belt accumulation are easier to amass and manipulate. There are more belts lying around in every weight class, meaning that star fighters can be selective in their choices as they venture up the scale.

They can occasionally cherry pick (see: dictionary definition with picture of Sugar Ray Leonard-Donny LaLonde fight poster corresponding).

Upon his retirement, there were headlines proclaiming Oscar De La Hoya a ‘ten-time’ champion, and grey hairs the boxing world over could be seen shaking.

For Sugar Ray Robinson to be a five-time Middleweight champion, he had to lose (or vacate) the title on four occasions. Then he had to regain it, from a Hall of Famer no less, every time. For De La Hoya to be proclaimed a ‘two-time’ Lightweight champion is just basic arithmetic without context or thought. He picked up a vacant belt against a blown up Jorge Paez and then won a unification fight with Rafael Ruelas, sure, but he never lost one them to regain it.

It’s not the same.

Therefore, the really special occasions, the truly remarkable accomplishments, have to be pointed out vigilantly or risk being lost in a sea of less. This weekend, what Manny Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KO) will attempt to do in pursuing a lineal crown in a fourth weight division, a title in a sixth division overall, is one of those times.

Over the last two months, this corner has examined the title reigns of Manny Pacquiao ( http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=18886 ) as well as the men who have held title claims in four, five and six divisions, identifying their various title claims to understand where each fell short, including Pacquiao so far, of becoming the first man in the sport’s history to capture four lineal World titles. Those men are:

Four Division Claimants
Roberto Duran - http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19025
Pernell Whitaker - http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19117
Roy Jones Jr. & Leo Gamez - http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19243
Five Division Claimants
Sugar Ray Leonard - http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19317
Thomas Hearns - http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19427
Floyd Mayweather Jr. - http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19516
And the lone Six Division Claimant
Oscar De La Hoya – http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19638

Look closely at the list again. Eight names, seven easy first ballot Hall of Famers, and Leo Gamez was a pretty good fighter in his own right. Even without ‘lineage’ in their favor at each weight class, even with seventeen weight classes where once there were as few as eight, this is the quality it takes to hop around the scale picking up belts along the way.

Maybe it isn’t the same, but the caliber of prizefighter which makes up this class says something significant.

It says it sure as hell ain’t easy either.

What Pacquiao has done to date is already special no matter the outcome against World Jr. Welterweight champion Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32 KO). In staking a claim to three lineal World championships so far at Flyweight (112), Featherweight (126) and Jr. Lightweight (130), he went through the hardest roads available.

In winning the first two crowns (against Chatchai Sasakul and Marco Antonio Barrera), he defeated not only the champion established by historical lineage but also the consensus choices at the time for best fighter in the division when he met them. In winning the third crown, vacant prior to the bout, he had to get by the easy choice for ‘other’ top contender in class, Juan Manuel Marquez.

Winning titles in just four divisions, lineal or otherwise, has been a mountain too high for some outstanding practitioners of the sweet science.

England’s scrappy Duke McKenzie thrilled audiences throughout the 1980s, winning non-lineal titles at Flyweight, Bantamweight (118) and Jr. Featherweight (122). A trek to Featherweight in 1994 saw him broken down in nine by WBO titlist Steve Robinson, but he gave it a go.

Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello couldn’t do it. Strong lineal runs at Featherweight and Lightweight (135) were sandwiched around a WBA title reign at Jr. Lightweight which may have been the finest in run in the division’s history. The dream of four was stopped short in one of the greatest fights of all time, Arguello’s first clash with Aaron Pryor at Jr. Welterweight in 1982.

Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech, sans any lineal crowns, should have pulled it off from Bantamweight straight through to Jr. Lightweight but judges blinded by the hot Nevada sun ruled his 1991 thrashing of Azumah Nelson a draw. Mexico’s greatest of all time, Julio Cesar Chavez, ran off belts at 130, 135 and 140, making clear claims to the outright World title in the latter two but history eluded him too as Chavez needed big time judging help to muster a sport-embarrassing draw in chasing Pernell Whitaker for the Welterweight title in 1993.

Future Hall of Famers Erik Morales and James Toney missed for different reasons. Morales found his body worn down just enough to finish a round or so shy of pulling it off against David Diaz for a belt at 135 in 2007 after titles at 122, 26 and 30 over the previous decade. Toney accomplished the feat in the ring by decisioning John Ruiz in 2005 at Heavyweight, almost fourteen years after winning the lineal Middleweight crown and later adding titles at Super Middleweight and Cruiserweight.

Then Toney failed a urine test for performance enhancers. Hello “No Contest;” farewell divisional title number four.

The point of these trips down memory lane is simple. It illustrates the variables which go into accomplishment in sport. Timing, opportunity, the toughness of opposition, and the quality of officiating can all derail even the best of fighters.

Nowhere is that more the case than in the biggest historical names which are likely to can be used as comparison points should Pacquiao topple Hatton this weekend.

The first is the most obvious, bandied about freely since Pacquiao’s win over De La Hoya last December even if their circumstances are wildly different. Henry Armstrong (149-21-10, 101 KO) didn’t just win three lineal titles in three divisions; he held three of them at the same time. In a savvy move intended to move Armstrong out from under the shadow on the Heavyweight division, Armstrong defeated Petey Sarron to win the honors at Featherweight in October 1937, leapt all the way to Welterweight to knock off Barney Ross for the championship in May of the following year, and then three months later dropped to Lightweight to defeat Lou Ambers for a one-of-a-kind triple crown.

By all accounts, Armstrong earned another piece of history in March 1940 and this is where a stronger comparison can be drawn with Pacquiao. While not entirely undisputed, Ceferino Garcia probably held the strongest claim to the Middleweight title when he took the challenge of Armstrong. Armstrong had successfully defended the Welterweight title against Garcia in 1938 and over ten rounds appeared to outwork him again only to come up short with a draw.

Had he been given the verdict, Armstrong would have captured titles from limits of 126 to 160, a span of 34 pounds. Pacquiao is attempting this weekend to bridge 112 to 140, coming up a few pounds short at a span of 28.

Another name which hasn’t come up as often as Armstrong’s found the draw verdict preventing him from history on the front rather than the back end. Twice in 1927, Tony Canzoneri (144-24-10, 44 KO) faced off with future Hall of Famer Charles “Bud” Taylor for the vacant National Boxing Association (precursor to today’s WBA) crown at 118 lbs. Their first bout ended in a draw; the second with a decision loss for Canzoneri.

It turned out the great Canzoneri would find success elsewhere.

From 1928-36, Canzoneri would win and lose the titles at Featherweight, Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight, amassing one of the deepest resumes in the history of the sport. In many ways, Canzoneri’s career parallels Pacquiao’s more closely than forced comparisons to Armstrong.

In an era not allowing day before weigh-ins, Pacquiao may well have begun contesting for titles at 118 rather than 112, the same as Canzoneri.

Pacquiao moved from those small points on the scale to post a victory over the former Welterweight champion De La Hoya in the now retired Golden Boy’s final fight.

Canzoneri found a way to split two fights with great former Welterweight champion Jimmy McLarnin in McLarnin’s penultimate contests before a farewell win over win over Lightweight great Lou Ambers.

Had he won titles in more divisions, McLarnin’s journey up the scale would be a strong point of comparison here as well. And, okay, McLarnin had much more in the tank at his end then De La Hoya did. So it’s not the same.

It’s still healthy food for thought.

None of this analysis means a Pacquiao win automatically puts Pacquiao on a pedestal next to the Armstrong’s and Canzoneri’s of history. Those are debates for after the fight, and for all time, if it happens.

None of this even should be taken to mean Pacquiao is certain to succeed. Hatton will have a ton to say about it on Saturday night. He’ll come to win and if history has anything to say about it, the odds are in his favor to do so (or at least draw).

Have no doubt about it though.

This is one of the really special occasions, a moment when one of the men of our time will try for one of the truly remarkable accomplishments.

This is the chance for real history and Saturday can’t get here soon enough.

The Weekly Ledger

As always, there’s more:

Spinks-Latimore Coverage: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19586
Froch and Lopez Shine: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19619
Top 20 Jr. Flyweights: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19656
Picks of the Week: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19636

Cliff’s Notes…

All this and still no pick for Saturday’s fight? Tune in later this week for the pre-fight report card. Not that this has been a sterling year for picks from yours truly or anything…Seriously, when Cory Spinks is even getting in wars, you know Boxing is hot…The ticket sales for Wladimir Klitschko-David Haye are mind boggling. Imagine if the fight is actually good…Sucks that Jr. Welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley was stripped by the WBC but Junior Witter-Devon Alexander is an intriguing fight and Bradley pays one less fee. That’s a win-win right?...So is Mayweather-Marquez on or not? We should know by the weekend…Finally, Rest in Peace to former WBA Heavyweight beltholder Greg Page.

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19677

Bruce Lee Pacquiao Vs. Chuck Norris Hatton?

2009-04-30T16:44:00.000-07:00

Standing straight up Manny Pacquiao is about the size of the top of a Mercedes Benz sedan, not necessarily imposing when you’re talking about a fighter considered the best boxer pound for pound in the world. Like a Mercedes, he’s in the elite status, not just for this era, but also possibly for all time. Ricky Hatton has almost the same exact height and like his rival, many consider the Manchester native one of the finest prizefighters today pound for pound. On Saturday, Pacquiao (4-3-2, 36 KOs) of the Philippines and Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) from England will battle for the latter’s Ring Magazine and IBO junior welterweight titles at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. The fight will be televised on HBO pay-per-view and is co-sponsored by Tecate cerveza. Generally when speaking about the baddest fighter on the planet the subject conjures images of basketball sized boxers with muscles bulging and grimaces resembling a fugitive from the movie Twilight. Not so. If Pacquiao reminds of any past figure, the only person that comes to mind is Bruce Lee, the man who put martial arts on the map and whose legend continues though he’s been dead for 35 years. Pacman’s upcoming battle with Hatton can be equated to the epic battle shown on Way of the Dragon with Lee and Chuck Norris in the Coliseum in Rome: two iconoclastic warriors with different styles and prodigious fan bases. Bruce Lee had that same kind of blazing self-confidence that Pacquiao emotes. Though bragging and boasting was never part of the now deceased kung fu master’s persona, the world recognized his abilities and new twists on fighting techniques. Pacquiao doesn’t brag or boast either. Yet the world sees the lightning reflexes and ability to rise from a mere flyweight to welterweight and still fight bigger and stronger foes like a pure fighting machine. “I don’t want to say I’m better than him,” said Pacquiao humbly when asked to compare Hatton. “I train hard so that I can compete with him. We’ll see who wins.” It’s all very Bruce Lee-like. Every time Pacquiao steps in the ring you can bet that a flurry of blinding punches and too rapid to predict footwork will take place with the Filipino superstar. From fight to fight he improves rapidly and confidently. “I’m a better fighter now,” admits Pacquiao almost begrudgingly from his abilities six years ago.

The hard boiled look of Hatton has been chiseled on his face after more than 15 years in a boxing ring. Like most British people, not just fighters, he has that confidence built from more than 400 years of success that England enjoyed as ruler of a worldwide empire. Hatton realized he lacked certain skills needed to continue to the top of the heap like England realized that a strong navy was necessary to protect its empire back in the early 1600s. That’s why the “Hitman” chose Floyd Mayweather to bring his brand of defensive tactics and quick movements to the fold. After losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and nearly losing to Juan Lazcano the English pugilist decided to try another tact. “That Lazcano fight, after the Mayweather fight, I was just trying to steamroll him,” said Hatton. “I told myself, 'You’ve always had good boxing ability, but you know, you’re not using it any more. And that’s why I opted to go with Floyd Mayweather.” A polished Hatton expects to bring his enhanced skills along with an expected large vocal crowd of British subjects to the Las Vegas arena when he fights Asia’s greatest hero since Bruce Lee. Think Enter the Dragon part two and that’s what you can expect on Saturday. “I don’t’ see it being a tickling contest,” says Hatton. “He likes to fight just like me.” Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has honed his fighter from a mostly attack dog mentality to a razor sharp boxer who uses subtleties and movements to create openings. “Hatton is very strong,” Pacquiao says without hesitation. “I do not predict fights.” One thing that can be predicted is a full house that will witness the rise and fall of one fighter or the other. Rebates Tecate cerveza is offering a $20 rebate for the Hatton-Pacquiao pay-per-view fight to customers who buy a 12-pack or more of the beer.

Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/6769/bruce-lee-pacquiao-chuck-norris-hatton/

Boxer Manny Pacquiao looks beyond the ring to politics after Ricky Hatton fight

2009-04-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

In a corner of the Wild Card boxing gym, a small, compact man with a tiny waist, powerful arms and muscular calves genuflects in prayer at the edge of the sparring ring, his head resting on the buttress.

A white bandanna is wrapped loosely around his head, his chin is tucked into his chest, and his hands are pressed together tightly in worship. This is Manny Pacquiao, devout Catholic, Filipino idol, street urchin turned benefactor and, at 5ft 6in in his socks, the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet. Finally, he looks up, bright-eyed, and smiles. He utters a few words in his native Tagalog, and his entourage of 30 Filipinos collapses in laughter.

The Wild Card, located between Santa Monica and Sunset boulevards, a few blocks from the centre of Hollywood, is a dream factory for fighters. It is an institution of sweat, spit and sawdust, where some of the world's best boxers pound the bags alongside former lags, aspiring fighters and even Hollywood A-listers such as Mickey Rourke and Mark Wahlberg.

Each afternoon, the gym is cleared for Pacquiao so that he may train in peace. For the past six weeks, the Wild Card has resounded to the beat of a drum, and the rattle of a speedball at the end of Pacquiao's blurred fists.

On Saturday, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Pacquiao (48 wins in 53 professional fights) will learn whether his training has paid off when he steps into the ring with Manchester's Ricky Hatton (45 wins in 46 professional fights) for the latter's IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight world titles.

The contest, pitting the two most popular fighters in the world against each other, is expected to gross an estimated £40 million. Pacquiao is guaranteed at least £10 million for his night's work, which could rise to £15 million with his share of pay-per-view TV takings, making it his largest payday. It could also be his last.

It is a month before the fight, a Saturday, and the trainer Freddie Roach gestures outside the Wild Card. 'Look,' he says. In the quadrangle below, more than 500 Filipinos have gathered in an orderly queue around the gym's perimeter fence and car-park to shake hands, ask for an autograph, or simply touch the arm of the man who has had the official titles 'National Treasure' and 'National Fist' bestowed upon him by the government of the Philippines.

Roach, who runs the Wild Card, is widely considered the world's leading boxing trainer, and has overseen the careers of 23 world champions, including Mike Tyson and Bernard Hopkins.

A former lightweight fighter himself, Roach, 49, has Parkinson's disease, which leaves him with the shakes and a slight limp, though he says the symptoms disappear when he goes to work on the pads with his charges. 'We have been together eight years now and Pacquiao is like no other fighter I've ever known,' he says. 'What sets him apart from all the others is his work ethic. He's just relentless.'

In 14 years as a professional, Pacquiao has won world titles in four weight divisions – from 7st 8lb to 9st 9lb, at flyweight, super bantamweight, super featherweight and lightweight. In his last contest, in December, in what many felt would be a step too far, he dismantled America's most popular boxer, Oscar De La Hoya, at the 10st 7lb limit, in eight one-sided rounds.

Pacquiao is currently rated by The Ring, the sport's most respected trade magazine, as the best boxer in the world. His career earnings stand at an estimated £30 million. (Major paydays have come late in his career, in the past three years.)

Boxing promoters are by nature artists of smokescreen and hype, but it is still surprising to hear Bob Arum, the veteran Las Vegas-based promoter who oversaw Muhammad Ali's career in the 1960s, comparing Pacquaio with such a singular fighter
as Ali. 'Muhammad was larger than life, and loved by people, but I have never had a fighter who has so captivated one people as Manny,' Arum says. 'Everywhere I go, I am approached by Filipinos.'

Such is Pacquiao's standing in his home country that it is written into Philippine law that the army will go to Pacquiao's aid if his family is in danger. He carried the flag for the Philippines at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, and is the first Filipino boxer to have his image appear on a stamp. In a Time magazine online poll to find the 100 most influential people of 2009, Pacquiao has so far garnered more than 20 million votes.

Emmanuel 'Manny' Dapidran Pacquiao was born in December 1978 in the small town of Kibawe in Mindanao, the second largest of the Philippines' 7,107 islands. His early life was one of true poverty. The family lived in a shanty town, sleeping on cardboard boxes. His father, Rosalio Pacquiao, was a farmhand; his mother, Dionisia Dapigaran, did an assortment of odd jobs, and raised her children to believe in God. She hoped that Manny might one day become a priest. Manny often missed school to work in a laundry and do menial jobs to help make ends meet.

In 1990, when he was 12, two events changed Pacquiao's life. First, on television, he witnessed James 'Buster' Douglas defeat the seemingly invincible Mike Tyson in Tokyo – Pacquiao's first encounter with boxing, which led him to dream of a career in the ring. He would do odd jobs at the local gym and made his own punchbag out of a cardboard box stuffed with old clothes.

Second, and more significantly, he ran away from his family. He had found a stray dog, and brought it home. His father, who had been drinking, was enraged and, to punish the boy, cooked and ate the animal. Horrified, Pacquiao packed his bags and left for good. He slept rough, eking out a living selling iced water and doughnuts, each for a penny profit, until he stowed away in a boat bound for Manila 500 miles away.

After a time living on the streets, then finding a job as a gardener and construction worker, Pacquiao met Ben Delgado, who ran the L & M Gym in Sampaloc. 'Manny approached me and asked me if I would train him,' Delgado tells me as we sit in Nat's Thai Food restaurant in the quadrangle below the Wild Card. 'It was a rough area of Manila, but it was a good gym.' While several promoters told Pacquiao he was too small to be a boxer, Delgado spotted a raw yet rare talent in the young man, and agreed to work with him.

Pacquiao had no money, so Delgado let him live in the gym for the next two years, sleeping beside the workout areas in a small room. 'Sometimes we used to put plywood boards on the canvas and slept in the ring,' Delgado says. 'In the mornings we went jogging, the rest of the day we just trained. He always had a big heart, in and out of the ring, and always, even then, wanted to be champion of the world.'

Under Delgado's guidance, Pacquiao turned professional at 17, and became a rising star on a televised weekly boxing show in the Philippines called Blow by Blow. At the time, he was earning about $2 per fight, which he sent home to his mother. His progress was rapid, his reputation grew, and before long the world flyweight title was on his radar. He won the World Boxing Council flyweight belt in Thailand, against Chatchai Sasakul, in December 1998, at the age of 19.

His major career break came in 2001 when, still under Delgado's tuition, Pacquiao fought at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, his first fight in America. He had been called up as a late replacement against the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo 'Hands of Stone' Ledwaba. Pacquiao, still a raw brawler at this point, and an outsider for the title, stopped the South African Ledwaba in the sixth round.

He was quickly spotted by Freddie Roach, who has plotted his fighting strategy ever since. Roach remodelled Pacquiao's style to make use of his blistering hand speed, while developing a mental toughness through a rigorous sparring and fitness regimen. 'Pacquiao, physically, became a fighting machine,' Roach says. Fearless, he stands toe-to-toe with his opponents, is almost impossibly light on his feet, and seems to answer every punch taken with three of his own.

Since 2001 only four of Pacquiao's 18 fights have taken place in his native country, with half of them in Vegas, the world's fight capital. To his compatriots, he has become the Philippines' most famous and successful export, and a symbol of triumph over adversity. Fourteen years after Pacquiao turned professional, Delgado, now 72, still attends every fight, and is a permanent fixture within Pacquiao's Los Angeles entourage. The boxer calls him his 'lucky charm'.

Pacquiao joins us in the restaurant. He has just completed 16 rounds of sparring against four different fighters, 12 rounds on the pads with Roach, and an hour's run in the Hollywood Hills, with only his Jack Russell – with whom he shares the nickname 'Pacman' – able to keep the cardio-sapping pace. After training, he had spent two hours signing autographs for all the people gathered at the gym.

'I have to give people time to take a picture, and sign autographs. I have to be generous to people. It is in my heart. Without that, I would not be Manny Pacquiao,' he says, ordering boiled eggs and salad. 'I believe that being famous means one of your responsibilities is to give.'

For a man so revered, he is deeply humble. He has charisma, yet engages only in spurts, before withdrawing deep inside himself. 'I'm just a regular person who believes life is simple, and I like a simple life,' he says. 'I have a lot of friends around me. I'm happy with that. Of course, in the ring, you have to be a warrior, but outside the ring, people know I'm friendly. Ricky Hatton and I will be friends after the fight, whatever happens.'

When not training in California, Pacquiao lives in a presidential-style mansion in General Santos City, Mindanao, with his wife, Jinkee, and their four children. The compound is manned 24/7 by armed security guards (there have been threats made against his children in the past). He is building homes for his siblings, his mother and his father, with whom he was reconciled publicly in 2006.

'If people don't have money, or have problems, they come to him,' Delgado says. 'And he helps them. Everyone loves him in the Philippines, from low profile to the high people.'

'Whenever he is in the Philippines,' Lee Samuels, the publicist for Bob Arum's Top Rank Inc promotion company, explains, 'people line up at his house for charitable gifts every day. They are mostly children, but also people who fall behind on their mortgage payments, people who have fallen on hard times.'

Pacquiao finds it difficult to refuse them. He is currently funding 250 children through school in his neighbourhood, through a foundation set up several years ago. Some are orphans, others have parents who have requested his help. Since his last fight in December, he has organised the export from the United States of 350 American-built hospital beds destined for wards around the General Santos region, a fire engine and an ambulance, and is overseeing the rebuilding of the L & M Gym in Manila into an apartment complex, incorporating a boxing gym in the basement.

At his American apartment, in a gated compound in Los Angeles, I asked him how he felt about the widespread poverty in the Philippines. He fixed me with a steely look. 'Poverty does not make me angry,' he said. 'But it makes me feel bad inside, and I want to help. I want the people of the Philippines to be happy, even if they have nothing. Even if they can just have enough to eat food three times a day. I feel so bad because God gave us everything to live in this world, so why don't we share with other people?'

Some of Pacquiao's most ardent supporters claim him as a latter-day saint, a new-age leader of the Maharlikan people who were conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century.

'Pacquiao is not just an inspiration for people, but has been a saving grace for the Philippines government on more than one occasion,' says Granville Ampong, a highly respected Filipino journalist based in Los Angeles, who writes for several newspaper titles in the Philippines. 'The Philippines is in a state of political chaos, of economic meltdown. There are many controversies around the current administration, and he has saved them from attack from revolutionaries.'

On the island of Pacquiao's birth, Mindanao, rebels have been fighting for a separate Islamic state within the mainly Catholic country for decades; the conflict is said to have claimed more than 120,000 lives. In spite of a ceasefire in 2003 and regular peace talks, violence continues.

'The masses could have overthrown the government but each time Manny fights, he calms the situation,' Ampong says. 'When he enters the ring, a truce is declared between guerrillas and the national army, and the crime rate all over the Philippines drops to zero. It's an amazing phenomenon.'

It is widely accepted that, despite his lack of a formal education, Pacquiao's destiny lies in Philippine politics. There is strong speculation that he will retire from the ring later this year, in time to prepare for the general elections in 2010. Last September he was sworn in as a member of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Free Filipino party. 'I'm convinced,' Arum says, 'that one day he will be president of the Philippines.'

When Pacquiao defeated De La Hoya in December, he dedicated his victory 'to President Arroyo, to the whole Philippines, and to the Filipino people all over the world.' In the press conference, Pacquiao was flanked by two leading politicians, governor Luis 'Chavit' Singson and the energy secretary Lito Atienza. At the post-fight party, more politicians were spotted among his fans. Mayors of seven Manila suburbs have enjoyed ringside seats at his recent fights, along with the husband of President Arroyo.

In late February a press tour was held in Manchester and London to promote Pacquiao's contest with Hatton. The Philippine ambassador attended the news conferences in both cities. 'They have to be there,' Arum explains. 'Not because of Manny's career, but because of theirs.'

Though it once boasted one of south-east Asia's best-performing economies, the Philippines is now saddled with a large national debt, and tens of millions of people live in poverty. A third of the population live on less than a dollar a day. The economy is heavily dependent on the billions of dollars sent home each year by the huge Filipino overseas workforce, but the world recession is driving the country towards economic collapse.

The Philippines also possesses the highest birth rate in Asia, with forecasters predicting the population of 90 million (it is the world's 12th most populous country) could double within three decades, pushing the fragile economy past breaking point.
It is also the world's biggest rice importer, and has seen prices soar in recent years. The Philippines needs, if not a miracle, then an individual who embodies unity and hope for the future.

'It is too premature to judge the future of Manny Pacquiao in political terms,' Ampong says. 'The realm of Philippine politics is a tricky one. There is a huge gap between rich and poor, and trying to bridge the gap is an idealistic wish. I'm not suspicious of his motives, but what about the numbskull politicians following him? What are their motives? I think Philippine politics is going
to be very difficult for him.'

Pacquiao, unaccustomed to defeat, has already discovered that winning at the ballot box is not as straightforward as winning in the ring. In February 2007 he announced he was running for congress under President Arroyo's party, to widespread dismay from both his fans and the general public. Arroyo had become president in 2004 in controversial circumstances, following vote-rigging allegations. These have contributed to the unrest in Mindanao where, in a 2008 survey, 58 per cent of citizens said they felt Arroyo had cheated in the election.

On May 17 2007 Pacquiao was defeated in the congressional elections by Darlene Antonino-Custodio, running for the Nationalist People's Coalition, who received 139,061 votes to Pacquiao's 75,908. Pacquiao had funded his campaign with his own money, though it has been claimed that much of the funds were siphoned off by his own supporters. Political naivety, and his support for a controversial president, appear to have cost him victory on this occasion. Pacquiao's boxing fans rejoiced after the election defeat, and he returned to the ring. But not, it seems, for much longer. It remains to be seen whether he can hold on to his phenomenal popularity once he hangs up his gloves.

'Manny needs to distance himself from Arroyo if he intends to maintain his popularity in the Philippines,' Ampong says. Indeed, it is possible that the backlash has already begun. Pacquiao has recently had run-ins with the Philippine media, a situation that was unthinkable a few years ago. The Manila Bulletin reported in the summer of 2007 that he had a gambling problem, though the reporter later apologised personally to Pacquiao, who withdrew a libel action against the newspaper.

Once he is ensconced in politics, more people may emerge who are determined to bring him down. And unlike Hatton and De La Hoya, they may fight dirty. 'I spent a month in the Philippines in 2007 trying to dissuade Manny from running for congress but to no avail,' Mike Koncz, a close friend of Pacquiao and one of his long-term advisers, says. 'It is just his burning desire and strong belief that he can make a difference in Philippine politics. Do I agree? No, because one man cannot change the system over there, but that's his belief. He thinks he can change the system for the better and help people out of poverty that way. And when Manny feels like that, you can't change his mind. He's a fighter, and he always will be.'

It is Monday morning, three weeks before the fight. Back in the gym, Pacquiao is on familiar ground. The speedball is a blur on the far wall, and the fighter, totally focused and with his fists flashing, is framed by a huge poster of Muhammad Ali, open-mouthed, behind him. Training over, he stops for a chat. I ask if he is ever worried about losing. He pauses for a moment and then smiles. 'I have no fear in my life,' he says. 'I don't fear losing. Why feel fear in your heart when you believe in God?'

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/5243745/Boxer-Manny-Pacquiao-looks-beyond-the-ring-to-politics-after-Ricky-Hatton-fight.html

Roach, Mayweather Sr. in war of words

2009-04-30T16:42:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS -- Respectfully. That is how junior welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao have conducted themselves toward each other during the buildup to their super fight.

Their trainers? Not so much.

While Hatton and Pacquiao, who is gunning for a world title in a record-tying sixth weight class, will meet in the main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday (HBO PPV, 9 p.m. ET) in a much-anticipated showdown, Hatton's trainer, the irrepressible Floyd Mayweather Sr., and Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach sound as if they are getting ready to throw down in an undercard fight.

They even did a traditional staredown and posed together à la the main event after Wednesday's final news conference, much to the delight of the media.

Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), who demolished former titleholder Paulie Malignaggi in a November title defense, and Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs), who sent Oscar De La Hoya into retirement with a December pummeling in a welterweight fight, are the kinds of fighters who like to let their fists do the talking inside the ring. They are confident that they will win and don't spend time before the fight making disparaging remarks about their opponents.

Mayweather and Roach, however, have been at each other throughout the promotion. From the kickoff news conferences in Hatton's native England to their weekly comments about each other during HBO's "24/7" series, there's been just as much talk about Roach vs. Mayweather as there has been about Hatton vs. Pacquiao.

"Freddie 'The Joke Coach' Roach. That's what I think he is. He's a joke of a coach," Mayweather said, repeating for the umpteenth time his nickname for Roach.

Although Roach is typically far more laid back than Mayweather, he has also gotten into the act.

"A lot of people ask me if I'm worried about Manny fighting Hatton since Hatton has never lost a fight at 140 pounds," Roach said. "As long as Floyd Mayweather is in Hatton's corner, I have absolutely no concerns. It's not like his brother Roger is training him. Floyd training Hatton for this fight is our biggest advantage."

With the fighters taking the high road, trainers bashing each other will have to do. They've given the media all kinds of tasty and inflammatory quotes.

With the fighters taking the high road, trainers bashing each other will have to do. They've given the media all kinds of tasty and inflammatory quotes.

Mayweather has disrespected Roach ever since De La Hoya parted ways with Mayweather to go with Roach for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2007.

"Who has he really worked with," Mayweather said of Roach. "He had a lot of big fighters, but he hasn't done anything with them. What has he done with them? He got one man in his court; it's Pacquiao. Who else do you know that he got that he's done something with? And what fighter has he made? I made my son, and who has he made? He hasn't made anybody. Explain it? That's all I can tell you, man; the guy ain't made anybody. Simple."

Roach's response?

"My first champion, Virgil Hill, I started him out from his first pro fight," Roach said of one of his numerous champions. "I mean, I've made a lot of good fighters out there. He made his son through birth, but Roger [Mayweather, Floyd Sr.'s brother] made him as a fighter. So, it doesn't bother me."

De La Hoya, who worked with Mayweather for several years and with Roach for one fight, said they're both good trainers, although when asked to pick one over the other, he went with Mayweather.

"Both of them will get you in tip-top shape," said De La Hoya, whose company, Golden Boy, promotes Hatton and is co-promoting the fight with Top Rank. "They'll train you, they'll make you run many miles, they'll make sure you're in the best shape of your life for that fight. The difference with Freddie and Mayweather is, I think, Mayweather is more technically sound when it comes to using different combinations with the mitt work. Freddie, he'll have you throw combinations, but it's a repeated combination over and over and over. The strategy really isn't 100 percent.

"I love Freddie Roach to death, I really do. Nothing personal to him, but from my experience, Floyd really had me at the top of my game."

When the promoters put Roach and Mayweather on a recent teleconference with the media to discuss the fight, they knew what they were doing. They knew they would get a lot of jawing back and forth between them, and they were right.

When one reporter asked who the better fighter was, since both boxed professionally before becoming trainers, Mayweather spoke up quickly.

"I most definitely was the better fighter than Freddie Roach. As a matter of fact, I've got a poster down at the gym where Freddie's on my undercard," Mayweather said.

Said Roach, "Well, you know what, I tried really hard. I fought on TV a lot more than him. I was a lot more popular than him."

Then they got into it.

Mayweather: "You were a bum."

Roach: "You know, his brother [Roger] was a great fighter, but he lost to my fighter Marlon Starling twice. He got his ass kicked twice. So, how good was he? He was OK."

Mayweather: "You weren't OK. You were a bum."

Roach: "So you think."

Mayweather: "You got whopped so much, Freddie. Come on, Freddie."

Roach: "You're the expert. Hey, Floyd, can I ask you a question?"

Mayweather: "Yes, sir."

Roach: "When I get presented the [2008] trainer of the year award [in June], I want you to present that to me this year because that's as close as you'll get to it."

Mayweather: "We're gonna see about that, Freddie. We'll see about that."

Roach: "I'd like for you to do that."

Mayweather: "And what are you going to do when I win it, Freddie?"

Roach: "I've won it three times. You've never won it. You're not going to win it ever."

While Roach seems genuinely peeved by Mayweather's putdowns, Mayweather seems to have a bit of a glint in his eye when he talks smack.

"It's not animosity, man," Mayweather said. "I'm having fun, whether you believe it or not. I'm having fun with this. I'm not afraid of Freddie at all or anything. I'm having fun with this.

"This is a build-up. That's all it is, man, to me. Everybody wants their fighter to win. But with me it's talking. Even if you look back with [Muhammad] Ali when he was doing his thing, everything is a build-up, man. Some guys get in each other's faces and never get out of each other's. But this is something with me. I'm having fun with this. I mean, I'm looking to win the fight and I'm sincere about winning the fight but as far as me, the animosity and the bad talk, I don't have nothing against Freddie right now. When this fight's over, me and Freddie can still shake hands and hug and you know. I don't have nothing against Freddie. I really think Freddie's a nice guy, but right now, this is warfare and I'm looking forward to my man winning, and I'm gonna do whatever it takes for him to win."

Roach made fun of Mayweather's stint in jail. Mayweather mocked Roach for being manhandled once in a sparring session by Roger Mayweather. The trainers have praised the other man's fighter, just not each other.

"I think Manny's a very good fighter," Mayweather said. "I think he can be a much better fighter, though, under different circumstances. But Manny's a very good fighter. I can't take anything away from Manny. I can think of a lot more things he can do that's he's not doing. So, you'll have to take that up with his trainer."

Real or manufactured, the Roach-Mayweather battle is good for the promotion, according to De La Hoya.

"It's huge. It's priceless because you're not going to get Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao talking bad about each other," De La Hoya said. "You're going to get some great action inside the ring, but people have to know about the fight, and we can do that through Floyd Sr. and Freddie Roach. Apparently, it's become a Floyd Sr.-Freddie Roach circus, but at the end of Saturday night, we'll see the bear and lion going inside the ring and duke it out."

But Saturday night isn't here just yet, so the trainers are still battling:

Mayweather: "My man's ready, and I know Freddie 'The Joke Coach' Roach is scared right now."

Roach: "Oh, he is?"

Mayweather: "And he's probably going to go crawl up in some hole somewhere."

Roach: "Enough with this dueling, man. It's old."

Mayweather: "It's the truth, man. You the Roach. … You see me come [Saturday] so we can fight. You understand me?"

Roach: "You want me come get me? You know where I live."

Mayweather: "I've got you, Freddie."

On and on it goes.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=4113216

Purchase Tickets Is Pacquiao on the Money?

2009-04-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

The speed, the speed, the speed of Manny Pacquiao will be too much for Ricky Hatton to handle. Hatton will need to look for on early knockout in order to win. As the fight goes on Pacquiao’s quickness and technical skills will be just too much for Hatton to handle. Pacquiao takes this with a tenth round stoppage and maintains his P4P title.

Dan Horgan (Pacquiao)

Speed kills and Pacquiao is fast. Pacquiao will be too quick for Hatton, and although Hatton seems to have improved defensively under Floyd Mayweather Sr., he has a bad habit of resorting back to his hit-and-grab brawling style during fights.

By Rick Assad (Pacquiao)

There may be some dissent, but Manny Pacquiao is the best boxer pound-for-pound plying his trade today. In tight situations, this has helped the 30-year-old Filipino legend, and it will again when he faces England's Ricky Hatton for the International Boxing Organization light welterweight title May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The action will be keen and fierce from the opening bell. Hatton's only blemish was a 10th-round knockout by undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hatton gave Mayweather credit, but also admitted that he was desperate and somewhat careless. Hatton's forte isn't defense, and Pacquiao (48-3-2 and 36 knockouts) will take full advantage. Hatton (45-1-0 and 32 KO's) wades in, which will aid Pacquiao, who has faced stiffer competition than Hatton. In seven combined fights against Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao is 5-1-1. Last December, Pacquiao fought an aging Oscar De La Hoya, and the Golden Boy quit on his stool after the eighth round. It won't be as one-sided, but he will prevail. How about the ninth round?

Rene Trujillo

Freddie Roach has been confidently saying that the May 2nd bout pitting Manny Pacquiao against Ricky Hatton will not go the distance. While I respect Freddie Roach and recognize all the success he has had, I believe that this fight will go longer than he's expecting. I think there are two possible scenarios that can play out with this fight. I am usually not one to make predictions so I will just give you the readers the two possibilities on how the fight will go come fight night.

If the Ricky Hatton of old shows up, it might indeed be a short night for the English warrior but not as short as Roach is predicting. Pacquiao will have an easy night of work if Hatton resorts back to his old ways, meaning coming in without any head movement or powerful jabs. The bull rushes may have been an advantage against the Pacman of a few years back, but Pacquiao has become a more controlled brawler darting in and coming back out to avoid any damage of significance. This new and improved Pacquiao was on display against De la Hoya, proving that even though he was the smaller fighter in the bout he was able to do significant damage with his speed and boxing ability. Hatton will need to use the jab coming in along with head movement consistently to be able to do some damage on the inside. Failing to improve on those techniques will cost Hatton the fight.

Nearly eight years ago, Pacquiao had one of his toughest fights in San Francisco against the late Agapito Sanchez. That bout marked one of the very few times in Pacquiao's career that he had been bullied in the ring and the fight eventually ended in the sixth round and was declared a technical draw. The fight was stopped due to cuts suffered by Pacquiao that were the result of intentional head butts. In that fight, Sanchez managed to use dirty tactics to frustrate the Filipino inside the ring. The reason I bring that fight up is because Hatton will have to try and bully Pacquiao around to throw him off his game and rhythm. He will not necessarily have to resort to dirty tactics, but if Hatton is to make this a competitive bout he will have to use his naturally bigger frame to his advantage, something De la Hoya was not able to do. Hatton will have considerable success if he can manage to close the gap with Pacquiao and make it an ugly fight on the inside. If he can consistently give himself room to maneuver on the inside, it will be to his benefit as Hatton can pound the body as he is known for. This strategy in all likely hoods can get the Hitman a win on the score cards, but it will be a complete surprise to this writer if he manages to knock Pacquiao out. And if the Filipino does end up getting knocked out, it will be from a body shot, as we have seen over the years that Pacquiao has a hell of a chin (something that isn't mentioned too often).

Rota EM (Pacquiao)

Speed + Right Hook = Big Problems for Hatton Imagine this, the ideal rotation for an orthodox fighter against a lefty is clockwise, with the addition of the ‘Manila Ice’, where is he going to go? Remember: A Floyd counter put the finishing touches on Ricky back in 07’. Hatton’s stamina is no where near Pacquiao’s, and the biggest obstacle isn’t whether Ricky can avoid Manny’s flurries (because he can’t), it’s whether he can touch the Filipino with his own. Within the last 3 1/2 years Hatton has had TWO solid performances. Manny's got TWO KO victories over Morales alone. I see this fight going past the 6th, but not into the championship rounds. Late round (9th or 10th) KO/TKO for the Pacman.

Dan Gabel (Pacquiao)

Both fighters are constant pressure fighters, so I don’t see this fight going to the cards. Hatton is a game fighter and a tough competitor, but I believe Manny might be a once in a generation fighter with dynamic game- changing speed and power. Hatton’s only chance is an early flurry and with some knockdowns. Otherwise I like Pacquiao by TKO (if pressed…8th or 9th round)

Ruel Bavar (Pacquiao)

CAN’T HARDLY WAIT!!

Just a little over a week more before the mega fight. Seems like an eternity. Can't hardly wait to watch this slugfest. I'm expecting a forced toe-to-toe inside exchanges notwithstanding claimed new fighting styles. I still stick to my prediction I made months ago that because of accidental head butts, scorecards by the 7th round, Pacquiao by UD, 70-63.

Albert Alvarez prediction (Pacquiao)

Pacquiao's speed or Hatton's mauling style? In order for Ricky Hatton to win in this one, Ricky would have to be on Pacquiao like bees on honey. Question is, will the referee allow for the British Bulldog to work on the inside? In Hatton's fight against Mayweather, Hatton's plan was to suffocate Mayweather, but Joe Cortez was not going to allow it, Mayweather was then able to operate from the distance he felt comfortable with and nailed Hatton with straight rights. Hatton must close the space between him and Pacquiao fast and must be tenacious with it to smother the incoming lasers’. No doubt about it that Pacquiao's strength is his speed, they say timing beats speed but I say speed isn’t nothing without balance.

Which is why it is imperative for Hatton to lead get in real air tight close and force Pacquiao to fight going backwards, As I for one do not feel that Pacquiao can box going backwards. If you allow Pac-Man to lead he will then have all the balance and angles and will be able to fire off his devastating shots, it's a death wish. You must keep him off balance to take away his arsenal; after all it's hard to be offensive when you have to be on the defensive every second of the round. My gut says that Hatton can get all this accomplished and overwhelm Pacquiao with intense pressure, but my heart says that I am asking too much of Hatton and that Pac-Man along with his speed and southpaw style will be too much and will gobble up the Hitman in 9 brutal rounds. I am picking the Pac-man to find the distance to rock Hatton Manila Ice style. Pacquiao 9th round K.O.

Peter Goldthorpe (Pacquiao)

This is going to be a fantastic occasion as well as a fight with the two best supported boxers in the world and transatlantic rivals will ensure an electric atmosphere, Hatton however will be looking to improve upon his last outing where-as Pacquiao will be looking for more of the same, everybody knows that Pacquiao progresses and get stronger throughout a bout but if Hatton works everything of the jab from the outset not looking for that one big shot which will open him up to the faster Pacquiao to fight his fight could take this fight early into the bout but this needs to be in the first three rounds. But these two and their respective corners will make this intriguing, I however although I am of course rooting for the British fighter I believe that the Filipino will simply have to much for the Mancunian, and I don't see this going the distance on this occasion so I think it will end after the midway of the fight with a stoppage for Pacquiao although don't rule Hatton out!

Steve Hobden (Pacquiao)

This encounter is a real pick em fight. I think we know what to expect from Manny Pacquiao in terms of style. Lots of lateral movement, straight lefts, high output combination punching. But what will Ricky Hatton do differently under the guidance of Floyd Mayweather Snr? He may well be a faster, sharper, more rounded fighter with a better defense than we've seen previously but I think he will have lost some of his strength now that he no longer does the bodybuilding exercises with Kerry Kayes, so I don't believe he will be much stronger than Manny on the night. Also is it too late in Hatton's career to change his style and tweak it effectively to fight the best P4P fighter in the World who just happens to be a southpaw? Hatton has to have success early on, otherwise he may just revert to the Hatton of old and I'm not so sure he will be able to stick to his game plan once the going gets tough.

The Ricky of old often lunges forward with the jab which is perfect for Manny to pick him off with the straight left. But on the other hand Manny tends to hold his hands high leaving his body open to attack. Additionally he also moves from side to side which is perfect for Hatton to unleash a deadly left hook to the body which could prevent Manny from using his lateral movement. I could quite easily make a case for both fighters to win, but I think we will see Manny pot-shooting and out landing Ricky to walk away with a close decision. Hatton's best chance is a body shot as Pacquiao moves to the side but I think Manny and Freddy Roach will have that covered in their game plan. Manny Pacquiao by close decision

Marcelo Ortigoza (Pacquiao)

Since everybody knows Manny “the Filipino Superman” Pacquaio, I’ll delve on the upsides and downsides of Ricky “Hitman” Hatton.

UPSIDES: He is dangerous because he is fighting at his natural weight at 140-147 lbs (Junior Welterweight) where he was undefeated in his 43 outings. With this, there is a presumption of his impregnability -- as what Fort Knox is known – against the punches of smaller opponent Pacquaio who should be exploiting his prowess at his natural weight at 135- 140 lbs (Lightweight).

But Pacman has fought bigger guy named Oscar de la Hoya at 147 (Welterweight), you probably asked?

The Hitman sneered on that on his almost unintelligible -- to us Filipinos – Mancunian- accented-English: “Oscar was just “shot” at the weight. He weighed 147 pounds for the first time in twelve years and on the night of the fight he was still 147 pounds which shocked everyone. You could see in his legs, eyes and face that he was not the great Oscar we loved and enjoyed watching. I don’t know how he dropped the weight but he looked drained and consequently the win flattered Pacquiao.”

In this win, he added that Manny has false impression of himself on that victory. He even commented that another bigger opponent in David Diaz was the weakest Lightweight Champ the Filipino pugilist has defeated.

He opined that on the May 2nd 2009 tussle Pacquaio will have a jolt of his life as he will be fighting a different strategy – far from the old Ricky people used to see when he was under his former long time ciggie-chomping trainer Billy “Not the Preacher” Graham.

He said he has more tricks to show after he was trained by his trash-talkin’ and poem-quoting trainer Floyd Mayweather, Sr.

New approaches like more jabs, defenses, and head movements will be unloaded at the dais.

DOWNSIDES: From the time he fought big guys like Juan Urango, Luis Collazo, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. I saw already the cracks taking its toll to his body – priced he paid to his God –May-Care-Forward-Style aggression that took away his rhythm.

In the first two fights, he struggled tremendously that many believed he lost to Collazo. In the mentioned 3rd fight, he became a target-paper from the talented all-around boxer Pretty Floyd – probably the conqueror of the Pacman as what Sugar Ray Leonard was to Roberto Duran in their rematch.

But you ask: Hatton has fought elite lightweight boxers in knock-out artist Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo -- who many experts said had defeated Mayweather, Jr. in their first fight, and gave us a breathless war of attrition when he fought for the first time Diego “Chico” Corrales that became a Fight of the Year?

My dear Procopio, both of those fighters were damaged goods as what those U.S made Vietnam –vintage Huey Bell military helicopters cum Flying Coffins are as hands me down from Uncle Sam to the no-choice and financially-constrained Philippine government.

Like Castillo who threw his towel at the 4th Round, the rusty Tyszu has not fought for two years thus he raised the white-flag – like the drained de la Hoya – at his stool at the 11th Round as a result of the ceaseless pressure from the English man.

But Hatton-huggers my protest, Ricky baby defeated Paulie Malignaggi as what he and trainer old Floyd crowed?

Gee whiz man, Paulie was fighting as an amputee with his left hand doing the yeoman job for him after the 1st Round until the fight was stopped at the 11th round.

Paulie – who is known to have a brittle hand like a polvoron (powdered biscuit) from Goldilocks in his past fight – was sleek and effective by imposing on Hatton a Mayweather, Jr. fight in the first round until he became economical by fighting his left hand only.

As a believer of the power of Pacquaio’s left hand than what Floyd Jr. right can do, I predict the Filipino knocking-out the Mancunian hero on the 2nd half-of-the-round.

By Rizwaan Zahid (Pacquiao)

The one we’ve been waiting for a while is almost here. The fight which has been rumored since the bell of De La Hoya and Pacquiao is just over a week away and what’s the most intriguing part of this fight is that each fighter has a whole nation behind their back. It’s hard to remember any fighter that has had as much country support as Hatton or Pacquiao. Even the Puerto Rican’s following of Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto cannot compare with the Philippines backing of Pacquaio and the way the fans of England - Manchester specifically - follow Hatton.

Onto the fight…

Floyd Sr. has only trained Hatton for one fight thus far and beating an elusive Malignaggi who actually had his hair cut was quite impressive. No fighter can change styles overnight, but we did some glimpses of a jab and more head movement, something which the Hitman hasn’t shown that much before. We all know how much Pacquiao has developed over the years and this will be one of Ricky’s toughest fights, but Pacquiao has never fought anyone that will put this much pressure on him, especially to the body. Ricky’s relentless attack has not been matched by Morales, Barrera or even Juan Manuel Marquez. Hatton is also the naturally bigger guy, walking around at over 160-170 pounds.

Pacquiao is fighting a legit 140 pound fighter. Even most of the fights he had at 130 were against fighters who made most of their career at featherweight before moving up. Morales, Barrera, Marquez and Larios had fought most of their career at 126 and under. He had an impressive showing against a limited David Diaz, who was a legit lightweight, and then fought Oscar De La Hoya who looked like he had the fluid sucked out of him. Ricky on the other hand has fought natural 140 pound fighters and twice at welterweight. Both fighters should start quick, but expect Pacquiao’s speed and stamina to take over and possibly win on cuts, or via close decision. But I wouldn’t, nor should any, be surprised with a Hatton stoppage later in the fight. It will be a test for both to say the least.

Either way, it has fight of the year written all over it.

Carl Hewitt (Hatton)

Pacquiao has an edge in speed, but not as large of an advantage as most are led to believe. Hatton will more than make up for that small speed deficit with a smothering, mauling style that should sap Manny's strength and make him more susceptible to Hatton's power later in the fight. Pacquiao should have his moments early, but Hatton is probably too physically strong for Manny at this time. And Ricky's improvement under Mayweather, Sr. will be even more evident than it was in the Malinaggi fight. I like Hatton by UD.

Huwebes Fernandez (Pacquiao)

I would definitely pick Manny Pacquiao over Ricky Hatton because as Freddie Roach said, "speed kills", and Manny Pacquiao is much faster than Hatton, though Mayweather taught Hatton some improvement in his basic and defensive skills. Hatton will be in a surprise once he gets a taste of a straight left hand courtesy of the PacMan. So it's Manny Pacquiao by 6th round knockout for me.

Dr. Baio (Pacquiao)

After this past Saturdays big fight pinning Taylor vs Froch, I hope the Brits are ready for another great fight. Our foreign travelers were warmly welcome to the US with a Froch win over Taylor, but the coming Saturday Thrill all be leaving with their heads down. So enjoy the feeling of victory on American soil while you can.

My pick for Saturday May 2, 2009 is None other then Manny Pacquaio by UD. Ricky may be bull strong and a new man under Floyd Sr., but Manny has showed us what it means to be a true champ with his wars against Marques. We all saw what the sly Marques did in his last fight against Diaz. This gave us a great view of what Manny went through. He is a true camp. Plus, he is hungry.

Hatton has made is money through big fights and TV deals. Pacquaio still yurns for that and while show us what hunger and skill can do over strength.

Cesar Zuniga (Pacquiao)

YES, it’s only a week away and no one can stop talking about the mega fight between Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. With a fight of this magnitude, it is safe to say that each fighter does posses the keys to win. Yet, what aren’t so clear are the answers to the important questions surrounding this battle of extremely aggressive and well loved fighters. Such As:

Can Hatton Match Pacquiao’s speed?

How will Pacquiao handle the bigger man’s punches?

Has Floyd Mayweather Sr. made the necessary changes to Hatton’s Defense?

And the list will go on. Let us take an even deeper look and break down the individual categories and the favorite in each.

SPEED: (Pacquiao) Even though Hatton is no slouch, Pacquiao possesses the world class speed that is rare to find a comparison to.

POWER: (Hatton) It’s not quite sure how Manny’s power will be felt at 140, and Hatton is one of the elite punchers in the division.

SIZE: (Hatton) Ricky should be the bigger man in this fight even if it’s not by much.

CHIN: (Pacquiao) Both fighters’ have good chins but they have been stun before, and Hatton was knocked out by Mayweather Jr. who is not known as a KO artist.

EXPERIENCE: (equal) With more the 80 fights between them, both are coming in confident.

CROWD: (Hatton) With the kind of ruckus crowd the English are capable of bringing across the ocean it would not be a surprise to see a majority of English Flags and “Blue Moon” Singers.

VERSATILITY: (Pacquiao) With Freddie Roach at his side Pacquiao has become a good patient boxer and not just a left handed puncher. Can Hatton change his style during the fight if needed?

WILDCARD: (Pacquiao) This is Hatton’s second fight with Mayweather Sr. Even though Hatton showed signs of an improved defense, his first fight was with Paul Malignaggi who has no where near the power Pacquiao has. Hatton is also prone to cuts and with little head movement and a questionable defense it might be a long night of Pacquiao head shots.

Based on this break down one could give the slight edge to Pacquiao. If you ask this writer who he feels will win this fight, he is not picking the underdog in this one. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will raise his hands at the end of a late 10th round TKO and remain the world #1 P4P best fighter.

Source: http://www.diamondboxing.com/newsstory.php?list=7109

Graham: Ricky will win spectacularly

2009-04-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Ricky Hatton's former trainer Billy Graham is backing his old charge to score a spectacular victory over Manny Pacquiao.

Speaking on Steve Bunce's Boxing Hour, Graham rebuffed any suggestions that Pacquiao was a better boxer or quicker than the Hitman.

Graham added that with his natural size advantage on top of this, he believes Hatton should be a clear favourite, rather than the underdog the bookmakers' have him as.

"I’m really surprised that Manny Pacquiao’s the favourite," Graham said on Setanta Sports News. "So many people are picking him, he’s the bookies favourite and that really amazes me. I think Ricky’s a better fighter.

"They keep going on about Manny’s speed, Ricky’s as fast as Manny, he’s a lot bigger than him. He’ll have at least 10lbs of lean tissue on him on the night. No one can give away 10lbs to Ricky Hatton.

"All fighters struggle with southpaws. That’s a problem because he’s more likely to pick up facial injuries if he’s not smart early on, before he get accustomed to the style, before he gets comfortable. He’s got cut early on in quite a few fights.

"But saying that he has the tools to deal with a southpaw. He’s got a great short right hand, right cross. He’s got a great left hook. He’s just too big, too fast, too powerful and too good.

"I see him winning big, I see him winning spectacularly and I don’t think it’ll last that long. I’d say any time from 4 to 8, I don’t think Manny will go past 8."

Source: http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/other-sports/2009/04/30/Boxing-Graham-Ricky-will-win-spectacularly/gnid-50917/

Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao electrify Las Vegas

2009-04-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

When Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao went head to head on Wednesday there was little to suggest that the two box-office stars have anything but a deep mutual respect for each other ahead of Saturday’s light-welterweight super-fight.

But the smiles will be replaced by grimaces come the first bell. “Manny goes for the knockout, I go for the knockout,” Hatton said, before turning on those who believe that the Mancunian cannot win against the Filipino who is regarded as the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter. “They said I was an over-hyped, over-protected, beer-drinking Englishman, but I’m here to shock the world again.”

Pacquiao’s response? “I never hate my opponent, and I have no fear in this fight. We will be firm friends after the fight, and I’d like a rematch at darts, too.”

Americans are coming to terms with a certain singularity: that the biggest fights in their country at present involve men who require a stamp in their passport to ply their trade in the world’s fight capital, following the retirement, two weeks ago, of their leading boxer, Oscar De La Hoya.

His mega-fights brought in just short of $700 million (£474 million) but after his capitulation – at the blurred hands of Pacquiao last December – there is nary an American fighter in sight with a comparable level of appeal.

In the case of this promotion, the lights of the Mojave Desert’s neon strip, dulled by the recession, have been relit by Hatton v Pacquiao, as both bring with them a huge following. One million pay-per-view buys (at almost £40 each) are expected to be sold in the US for this fight – the record is 2.4 million buys for De La Hoya v Floyd Mayweather in 2007 – while in the UK, Sky executives are optimistic of more than 700,000 buys.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena here has long since sold out its 14,000 seats. The gate will bring in $9 million (£6 million), while the promotion, overall, is expected to bring in £40 million.

Ringside seats will be resold for thousands of dollars. To cater for extra demand, closed circuit screens having been set up at seven other casinos along the strip, with seat tickets priced at $50. Such is the demand for the two most popular fighters in the world, seats were always going to be at a premium. Fans float like ghosts around the lobby of the MGM Grand, looking for that golden ticket.

Pacquiao is followed by an entire nation and the Philippines will grind to a halt when the two little men with huge hearts stage their electric dance. When the two men opened formal proceedings this week, known as 'The Grand Arrival’, the supporters turned out in force.

It was no surprise that a group of 6ft 10ins tall Filipinos in tracksuits – the Philippines men’s basketball team – and no fewer than 27 Filipino politicians, ministers and senators, had gathered, with hundreds of well-wishers, for the arrival of Pacquiao at his base at the Mandalay Bay Resort yesterday.

No one could confirm whether there were actually any 'summit talks’ scheduled between the Filipino politicians and their American counterparts. Nor indeed, does it transpire, that the basketball team have a single match scheduled on their 'tour’. This is Hatton-mania v Pac-mania. Sin City is beginning to hum with debate in the taverns. Bookies run a brisk trade.

High up in Pacquiao’s giant suite last night – to which The Daily Telegraph gained exclusive access – an entourage of 30 Filipinos enjoyed animated discussion, while Pacquiao watched Bruce Lee movies, his eyes darting at the action, before rising to his feet to enact the moves. Not a bad way of psyching himself up.

Hatton employs a converse method, slowly building his animosity for fight time towards his opponent.

Only these two men know the deep dark places they will need to take themselves in the last two days before they meet in the ring, while those around them fill the fighters with the certainty that victory will be theirs.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/5245985/Ricky-Hatton-and-Manny-Pacquiao-electrify-Las-Vegas.html

I am ready – Pacquiao

2009-04-30T16:37:00.001-07:00

LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton behaved as though they were hosting a luncheon party for dignitaries on Wednesday at the MGM Grand.

They hardly spoke words of hatred towards each other and conducted themselves in a manner as though they were long-lost friends who suddenly bumped into each other during a social gathering.

They even shook hands, tapped each other on the shoulder and smiled back when one of them was smiled at.

It didn’t appear they are going to punch each other in wild abandon come Saturday night before an expected sellout and boisterous crowd of over 16,000 at the Grand Garden Arena.

It was only the support cast — Hatton’s trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. — who actually made some noise when he opted to call Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach as ‘joke coach Roach” and “cockroach.”

Roach just muttered a few words when he was asked to speak on the dais, telling the audience in a polite manner that since Pacquiao is superior than Hatton, victory would be theirs Pacquiao also didn’t resort to trash-talking, a common ingredient in these types of events, while Hatton’s statements were just rehashed from his previous remarks during the countless Q&A sessions conducted by the organizers.

“I am ready for the fight on Saturday,” said Pacquiao, dressed in a mafia outfit from head to toe.

“I know Ricky Hatton has trained for this fight. I have seen it on (HBO’s documentary) 24/7.”

“I respect Ricky Hatton. He is a good person,” said Pacquiao, eventually telling the people that he is even praying and hoping that nobody gets (seriously) hurt in the fight.”

Hatton’s words had more substance, boxing-wise.

“It doesn’t scare me being in this position. This is my weight division, but I understand that I am the underdog. I understand why people are picking on me especially since Manny Pacquiao is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world who had just an exceptional win over Oscar (De La Hoya).”

It was Mayweather Sr., who stole the show with his rough rendition of a poem predicting Pacquiao’s downfall.

“Come May 2nd, you (Pacquiao) will be uncrowned with your head hanging down. The pain and stress left to confess that the Hitman’s the best. So let’s make it simple and plain after this fight, Pac will never be the same. It aint no diggity it aint no doubt, Pac’s gonna find out what it’s all about, when he beat ole legend Oscar De La Hoya, he was over the hill. Now it’s time for you to swallow the same damn pill.”

Top Rank chief Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions boss De La Hoya acted as the emcees.

Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/204417/i-am-ready-pacquiao

Al Bernstein Boxing Channel to Cover Pre & Post Pacquiao vs Hatton Fight

2009-04-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

iBN Sports announced that its Al Bernstein Boxing Channel (ABBC) will provide “up to the minute” weigh-in along with pre and post fight coverage of the May 2nd event, Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton, which will be broadcast from the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. iBN Sports will be on hand for weigh-ins, interviews, and Post Fight Coverage as two of boxing’s biggest sluggers collide in what could be one of the years biggest events. Five-division World Champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao and Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, the consensus fighters of the year three of the last four years, rumble for Hattons World Junior Welterweight Championships..

Al Bernstein and the iBN Sports team will be on hand to cover the weigh-in on May 1st, will also do interviews before the match on May 2nd and provide full coverage of the post fight press conference. All of this can be seen at www.ibnsports.com.

The Pacquaio/ Hatton coverage represents the ongoing series of up to the minute pre and post coverage of premiere matches that the ABBC will offer to fans throughout 2009. All broadcasts can be viewed live at www.ibnsports.com for free as well as seen on-demand on the channel.

Al Bernstein said, "This is a true mega-match that deserves full coverage from the media. We look forward to being on hand, as we are for all major boxing matches, to tell all the interesting stories surrounding this match." He added,"The international appeal of this fight makes it very special,"

Al Bernstein Boxing Channel to offer Pacquiao-Hatton: One For The Fans

iBN Sports, a premier Internet-based broadcast sports television network announced that its Al Bernstein Boxing Channel (ABBC) is now showing Pacquiao-Hatton: One For The Fans. A special show previewing the biggest fight in boxing. In the program, legendary boxing announcer Al Bernstein, talks to both fighters and their trainers and offers his own insights into the keys to victory for each boxer. The show also includes expert and celebrity predictions on the outcome of the match. The program can be seen at www.ibnsports.com and right here on eastsideboxing.com

“"For this match we felt the need to do what we did for the Oscar DeLaHoya-Manny Pacquiao match, do a long form program to preview the fight. The IBN team worked hard to create what we feel is s special show for the ABBC." Bernstein said. He added, “In 2009 the ABBC will be doing more of these specials on big matches to continue to provide boxing fans with the programming they deserve.”

The ABBC will also provide full up to the minute coverage of the Pacquiao Hatton match including the May 1st weigh-in and May 2nd post fight press conference, all from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The Al Bernstein Boxing Channel is the only channel anywhere covering only the sport of boxing. The ABBC includes coverage of major matches, previews of big boxing cards, interviews with Boxing’s biggest names and classic highlights from Boxing’s past.

Source: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=19622&more=1

De La Hoya predicts Hatton KO

2009-04-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS -- Oscar De La Hoya doesn't see the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton light welterweight showdown on May 2 (May 3 in Manila) going the distance. He picks Hatton to be the man left standing when the end comes.

“I’m gonna go with my guy,” said De La Hoya, who was sent into retirement with a savage beating by Pacquiao last December. “I believe in Ricky, I believe in my trainer that I have for many years, Floyd Mayweather Sr.

“I respect Manny Pacquiao, I respect Freddie Roach. Great fighter, great trainer, but I’m gonna go with Ricky Hatton.”

Owing to the explosiveness and ferocity of both fighters, De La Hoya said the megabuck bout, dubbed the “Battle of East and West”, won't reach the full 12 rounds.

“I don’t see it going the distance. Not early, but maybe late. I know who (will win) but it’s not gonna go the distance.

His choice of Hatton is expected because De La Hoya, the only boxer to win world titles in six divisions, promotes the British “Hitman.”

His choice of Mayweather Sr. over Roach is likewise expected because when he bowed to Mayweather's son and namesake, it was Roach who worked his corner.

For another, it was Roach who bared that “Oscar can no longer pull the trigger.”

Interviewed by Filipino sportswriters after the press conference of the “Battle of East and West,” De la Hoya, however, justified his choice by saying Mayweather Sr. is technically better than Roach, a three-time Trainer of the Year.

Having been battered into submission by Pacquiao in eight rounds, De La Hoya, of course, is in a position to give Hatton some advice on how not to suffer the same fate.

“I’ve given advice to Ricky Hatton already,” said De La Hoya, who is now concentrating on handling his Golden Boy Promotions.

“Obviously I’ve already been there with Manny Pacquiao. I’ve experienced his speed, I’ve experienced his punches, so obviously the advice that I’ve given him I’m sure he’s gonna use.”

De La Hoya maintains he holds no rancor on Pacquiao, a 2-1 favorite in betting lines in this entertainment and gambling capital.

“No it’s not revenge. Ricky Hatton is gonna face him for the first time. Like I said, this is nothing personal. Obviously I’m the promoter here along with Top Rank, and you know Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao are gonna do their job and may the best man wins.”

Read more on the source below:
http://sports.inquirer.net/professional/professional/view/20090430-202431/De-La-Hoya-predicts-Hatton-KO

Hatton will be like De La Hoya, says Pacquiao cutman

2009-04-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – Ricky Hatton will suffer the same fate Oscar De La Hoya did five months ago.

“It’s gonna be the same Manny Pacquiao that fought De La Hoya, in and out, in and out, bam, bam, bam, and out," said cutman Miguel Diaz, who will again serve as the third man on the Filipino’s corner when he fights Ricky Hatton over the weekend here.

The 30-year old southpaw beat De La Hoya black and blue on his way to scoring a stunning eight-round technical knockout in their so-called “Dream Match" last December.

The loss forced boxing’s “Golden Boy" to finally quit the sport for good.

While Diaz sees another sensational win for the pound-for-pound king, it may not come as easy against a banger like Hatton.

“It’s going to be a little more difficult because for some reason, Dela Hoya was really not in good shape during that fight," said the veteran cutman.

Like trainer Freddie Roach, Diaz pointed out to speed as the major key to beating the 30-year old Hatton.

“Even if it’s a different fight, I see a Manny Pacquiao moving in and out," he said, “You only have to see the legs, you see the calves and that kind of tells you the movement he’s gonna have and that would be the key of the fight." – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/159347/Hatton-will-be-like-De-La-Hoya-says-Pacquiao-cutman

Bars, malls cash in on 'Pacquiao-Hatton fever'

2009-04-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

Can't fly to Las Vegas? Don’t have pay-per-view? Don't fret because a slew of establishments in Metro Manila and key cities have been offering special screenings (some of which are free) for the much-awaited fight between boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao and Britain's Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton.

The phenomenon has provided many restaurants, electronics companies, and power providers with brisk business this boxing season as many Filipinos again are expected to set their sights on the momentous fight, which is Pacquiao's follow-up after beating Oscar dela Hoya last December.

Several restaurants like Gerry's Grill and Forest Grill in Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City are offering promos for the Pacquiao-Hatton match and have reportedly sold out their tickets a full six days before the fight.

According to Gerry's Grill Tomas Morato branch manager Fernan Salvariz, tickets for the live screening have been sold out for all seven of its participating branches since Monday. For a P500 ticket, customers can watch the match on any of the restaurant's five LCD widescreen projectors, strategically placed near the mini-bar, main dining areas, and the posh VIP rooms upstairs. This also includes a free breakfast spread of grilled pork, "daing na bangus", scrambled eggs, and garlic rice.

Salvariz said they are expecting 300 people to come to their branch, and more walk-in customers who tend to appear on the day itself and haggle for seats. "To prevent fights from breaking out, we give them seat numbers so they know who is the priority," he said.

Salvariz added that restaurants like Gerry's Grill offer good ambiance and a steady stream of food and drinks, which give them their edge.

Some restaurants have even bought new TVs and projectors just to be able to offer Pacquiao-Hatton screening opportunities for die-hard boxing and Pacquiao fans, a fact that has made projector sales and rental companies happy.

"People are calling for reservations, but we can't give any so they are forced to buy projectors," said Wena Morales of an AVP products sales and rentals company.

Flock of the faithful

Meanwhile, crowds also flocked to SM Cinema ticket outlets nationwide to get tickets for big-screen live screenings of the Pacquiao-Hatton match at SM theaters.

"I am buying [tickets] before they get sold-out. I want to show my support to Pacquiao so I will watch," said one fan named Mos, who lined up at SM North EDSA to purchase a ticket worth P551.

Joy Aspillas, SM Marketing officer, said the company had started selling tickets for the fight screening as early as March up to April. Customers who bought on specific dates were given a free movie ticket which can be used for any film being exhibited at SM theaters.

"The customer's behavior when it comes to Pacquiao fights is when the date of the match comes nearer, that's when people start buying tickets," she said.

Aspillas added that, among 33 branches of SM Cinemas nationwide, about 88 theaters have already been sold out, amounting to an estimated 28,000 people. Ticket prices for various SM branches range from P500 to P550 or more.

"Ticket sales are really fast. Yesterday, we only sold out [seats for] 72 screens nationwide. Today, it jumped to 88," she said.

Although SM Cinemas do not offer food for their patrons, Aspillas said that the experience would surely make up for it. "Obviously people come here for the big screen because it's better. When you go to the [SM theater], it's like you're actually at the fight. It's more upbeat, and people are energetic and noisy. Also, compared to other exhibitors, we're relatively cheaper," she said in Filipino.

If some businesses make good profit, others stand to lose on May 3 during the live broadcast of the Pacquiao-Hatton match, a Bloomberg report said.

An article by Clarissa Batino of Bloomberg said the Catholic church is projecting less people to come to mass on Sunday morning, since they will most likely be holed up at home to watch the fight on cable television . Even fast food chain McDonald's is expecting a slight dip in customer traffic, but an increase in home deliveries.

Fight for a cause

Some organizations are also taking advantage of the big event to raise money for their causes. The Ateneo Alumni Association, which is selling P600 per ticket for a live screening of the fight at the Ateneo Grade School Auditorium, plans to turn over ticket sale proceeds to the Ateneo Scholarship Fund.

A stone's throw away at the Irwin Theater in the Ateneo Campus, the University of the Philippines Association of Biology Majors (UP ABM) are selling tickets at half the price (P300).

UP ABM treasurer JJ Sanchez said they came up with the event to raise funds for their missions and to revive their scholarship fund which has run out. He said that of 1,130 tickets they are planning to sell, about 600 have been sold.

In a similar trend to commercial establishments, Sanchez also expects more customers to purchase tickets on the day of the screening.

For those who cannot shell out cash, several free screenings will be held all over the country. In Pacquiao's hometown, General Santos City officials are reportedly giving away 8,000 free tickets for fans who want to watch at the General Santos Gym.

In Metro Manila, free screenings will be held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) gymnasiums or military officer's club function rooms and all sports complexes around Metro Manila.

A mass of crowds are also expected to come for free screenings at the Baclaran, San Dionisio, San Antonio, and Marcelo covered courts in Paranaque; the San Juan Arena behind the Pinaglabanan Shrine; some covered courts and elementary schools in Muntinlupa; Valenzuela; and the Tatalon Basketball Court in Quezon City.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/04/30/09/bars-malls-cash-pacquiao-hatton-fever

PACQUIAO PREDICTING A WAR

2009-04-30T16:30:00.000-07:00

Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is predicting a "war" when he challenges Ricky Hatton for light-welterweight gold at the MGM Grand on Saturday night.

The swift handed Filipino southpaw, 48-3-2 (36 KOs), is bidding to win a world title in his sixth different division in Las Vegas in a contest that looks to be a battle between speed and strength.

Despite being a firm favourite with the Vegas bookmakers, Pacquiao is far from complacent and expects a hostile encounter with the Mancunian.

"I know Ricky Hatton is prepared," said Pacquiao. "I respect him...He's a different kind of fighter than I have been fighting before. He's a good fighter and a strong fighter.

"He has a lot of energy and throws a lot of punches. Everyone knows the style of Ricky Hatton.

"He always comes forward, throwing a lot of punches. It's going to be a war. Oh yeah, it's going to be a war. We're going to make it one.

"I'm confident I will win though. I've trained for eight weeks, sparred more than 150 rounds. I'm ready to fight. When the bell rings, I stop being so nice."

While the fighters were both respectful at their latest press conference they left it to Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr to do the trash talking, which he did in typically poetic style.

"After this fight, Pacman will never be the same," Mayweather said. "Hey Pac, it's over, so quit wishing on a four-leaf clover.

"You will be uncrowned, with your head down, on your chest, knowing that Ricky Hatton is the best.

"I hope you know, you have got to go, it's going to be Hitman Hatton by KO."

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said only that Pacquaio is in the best shape he has seen and the camp went well.

"He didn't talk because he's got nothing to say," Mayweather said. "He knows I've forgotten more than he will ever know.

"As for Manny, Ricky will whip his (rear). Ricky might not put it as blunt as I will but whatever he says it means the same thing."

Hatton joked: "Whatever he said, that's what I'm saying."

Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=boxing/09/04/30/manual_090604.html

Fight, earn, have fun, then go

2009-04-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

BRILLIANT Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao has a smile that can melt stone and fists that can break it.

To watch him is to understand boxing's thrill, to hear of former heavyweight champion Greg Page's death (which was connected to brain damage suffered in a fight) is to be grimly reminded of boxing's price.

Men will always box, and some will always pay for it. It is a legitimised violence, an escape for boys from the street, a test of manhood, and a taker of life.

Of course, people die in numerous sports, but boxers suffer. According to a 2006 report on the American Association of Neurological Surgeons website: "In several studies, 15-40 per cent of ex-boxers have been found to have symptoms of chronic brain injury."

So two things I hope for the talented and terrific 30-year-old Pacquiao. That he doesn't box for too long and that he doesn't lose all his money. Because this is what so many boxers do.

Most sportspeople don't want to stop and it's understandable. Men retire in their 60s and find their lives awkward, to retire in your 30s can be unsettling.

For many athletes, their only skill is wielding a racket or throwing a punch. It is their only earning, and often a very good one, and to stay on is tempting.

Teams may oust greying players but there is no limit in individual sport.

And science is lending a firm hand, for athletes now understand their bodies better, eat better, train better. Golf clubs, for instance, have assisted in making Kenny Perry a major contender at nearly 50.

If sportsmen don't know when to quit, it's no big deal. Except for boxers (and NFL players whose concussions and impact injuries haunt them into old age).

Boxers, their brains bruised and careening around their skulls, have to know when to stop, but they rarely do. They see Ali now and they still don't care.

Ali boxed too long. George Foreman is thankfully well, but boxed too long. Evander Holyfield is 47 and fought in December last year.

If you're older, you're slower, if you're slower you're going to be hit more.

And that can't be good in the long run because, according to the AANS: "The force of a professional boxer's fist is equivalent to being hit with a 13-pound bowling ball traveling 20 miles per hour, or about 52 g's." And of course, heavyweights, one presumes, suffer more.

Pacquiao, asked by a television anchor last week about what he was going to do with all his money, said he'd save it. I hope so. Because no one loses money like boxers. No one.

Boxers are often generous, they're often spendthrifts, they're often taken advantage of. To house his entourage in Manila for the legendary Joe Frazier fight, Ali needed 50 rooms. Then the money goes and fighters have to keep fighting. It's a bad mix.

Foreman returned to fighting because he was almost bankrupt (and made a lot of money). Mike Tyson reportedly squandered $300 million in earnings and filed for bankruptcy. Joe Louis came back because he had to pay taxes.

And these are the big fighters, not the smaller ones, with lesser pay days, who keep sweating and pounding away in forgotten rings.

Greg Page, who died last week, suffered brain damage in his final fight in 2001. His wife, so stated a report, "attributed his death to the lingering effects of that final fight".

He was 42 when he last fought and, according to the New York Times, it was a fight held in a nightclub so "dingy that decaying dead rats littered a corner of Page's dressing room". It seems a sad, desperate place for a boxer to go and start dying.

So Manny, fight, earn, then know when to go.

Source: http://blogs.straitstimes.com/2009/4/30/fight-earn-have-fun-then-go

Khan, Hopkins see a Pacquiao win vs Hatton

2009-04-30T16:28:00.002-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – Two boxers who in one way or the other share an affiliation with Ricky Hatton see him losing his fight against Manny Pacquiao this weekend.

Olympic silver medalist Amir Khan is leaning on a Pacquiao victory while former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins believes the Filpino ring icon as the better boxer between the two.

“Manny is looking very good, looking very strong. I think Manny can do it," said the 23-year old Khan, a compatriot of Hatton who also hails from Manchester, England.

Hopkins belongs to the same Golden Boy stable like Hatton. While he stressed that there could not be much of a difference in speed, he said the difference is that “Pacquiao is a sharpshooter."

The 43-year old ageless warrior for Philadelphia admitted Hatton being a brave fighter, but added that “sometimes, he’s too brave for his own comfort."

Khan admitted being a friend of Hatton, but just couldn’t deny the reality.

“I maybe from England but Manny is a great fighter, the best pound-for-pound fighter. He is what he is. He’s gonna go in there and do what he does best. His speed is too quick. He’ll catch Ricky Hatton with a punch that he wouldn’t see," he said.

In contrast, Hopkins doesn’t see the fight ending in a knockout.

“It has a good, great chance to go 12 rounds," he said, defying the general notion that it would be a short night. “I see a distant fight, but not a close one. Whoever wins this fight, wins by unanimous decision." – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/159361/Khan-Hopkins-see-a-Pacquiao-win-over-Hatton

Roach keeps quiet on verbal jabs by Mayweather Sr.

2009-04-30T16:28:00.001-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Sr. tried to stir a word war between him and Freddie Roach by going poetic in proclaiming an imminent Ricky Hatton victory over Manny Pacquiao this Sunday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Good old Freddie however, wouldn’t fell into his trap.

As the three-time Trainer of the Year perfectly puts it, “this is not about us trainers. It’s about Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton."

Except for Mayweather’s futile attempt to get the ire of Roach, nothing really explosive came about when the formal press conference for the Pacquiao-Hatton 12-round fight was held Wednesday at the MGM Grand Garden.

But three days from now, there will be a lot of action, both fighters guarantee, as they tangle in a bout dubbed as the first mega-fight in the post Oscar De La Hoya era.

“That doesn’t scare me," Hatton addressed the media, referring to a lot of write ups that had been coming out lately regarding him as the obvious underdog.

“I have been the underdog before. I hear what you say, ‘he is an over-hyped, over-protected, fat beer drinking Englishman.’ He’s gonna shock the world again."

Shocked the world the 30-year old Hatton did four years ago when he scored an 11th round knockout of Kostya Tszyu to win the 140-pound championship. Tszyu was then regarded as one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters.

In Pacquiao, Hatton is not only up against today’s pound-for-pound king, but also faces a fighter who’s at the peak of his career.

The Filipino ring icon as always, spoke humbly, complementing his opponent from Manchester, England with nothing but nice words.

“He’s a good person, a nice guy," Pacquiao said of Hatton. “I’m ready for the fight, and I know Ricky also prepared for it. This is nothing personal."

But for Mayweather, it is.

Not only did he reiterate in calling Roach “the joke", the father of retired champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. also referred to Pacquiao’s trainer as `cock-Roach.’

Then he began his act, waxing poetic about Hatton beating out Pacquiao.

“Am being for real and saying what I feel, this is the truest quote that I ever wrote," said Mayweather, eliciting laughter from the crowd and people at the podium including welterweight champion Sugar Shane Mosley, former undisputed middleweight king Bernard Hopkins, Golden Boy big boss Oscar De La Hoya and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

“Hey Pac…. It ain’t personal between me and you, come May 2nd, you will be uncrowned with your head hanging down."

Mayweather was so demeaning with his words that when Arum’s turn to introduce Roach, the Top Rank honcho quipped, “at least in our camp, we’re a little more restraint."

Which is what Roach displayed when it was his turn at the podium.

“Manny Pacquiao is in the best shape of his career. I just wish the Hatton camp good luck and we’ll all see you on Saturday," he said in his usual mild-manner action.

Both Pacquiao and Hatton are set to work out a sweat for the last time Thursday at the IBA gym. The following day, the official weigh-in will be held also at the MGM Grand. – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/159342/Roach-keeps-quiet-on-verbal-jabs-by-Mayweather-Sr

Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton news conference is a con job

2009-04-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

From Las Vegas -- An old wives' tale claims they once held a boxing news conference and there was actual news.

They trotted out Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, opponents for Saturday night's next big deal in the sport. Both acted responsibly, spoke sensibly, brought no new insight to their match, and sat down.

Unless Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins or Floyd Mayweather Jr. are fighting, the lead-up show is never about the boxers and always about the window dressing.

That's the eternal charm. Boxing is the world's only honestly dishonest sport. It is the University of Con Artists, the Academy of the Slick. It is the worm of organized athletics. Cut off a piece of it here, another there, and it still keeps wiggling.

If you are a member of the media, the people who run boxing know that you know. And you know that they know that you know.

College sports, for example, yammers on about building character, when it is mostly building pros. Boxing just builds characters. It looks you right in the eye, tells you it will try to con you, and then proceeds.

Wednesday's extravaganza, in a huge ballroom at the MGM Grand, where the media messengers of this madness flocked in large numbers, included a fashion show, strange bedfellows, comments on international relations, insults and poetry, tugs at the heart strings, and the ever-present slick-selling.

This is geared to getting ink-stained wretches, Internet typists and TV talking heads in tight black dresses to gobble up the inanities of the day and dispense them to the public so the public will buy pay-per-view packages at $49.95. That's the message. The only one.

Delivering it was a long row of men on a dais, their fashion statements running from three-piece suits to sport coat and T-shirts to wind breakers and sweat suits. Pacquiao wore white shoes, pants and sport coat with a black tam. Hatton, who referred to himself as a fat, beer-drinking Englishman, wore a T-shirt and a black floppy hat.

The master-of-ceremonies duty was jointly handled by Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya. Arum once promoted De La Hoya. Then De La Hoya went out on his own. Along the way, they have called each other every name in the book -- to be fair, Arum more than De La Hoya -- and have kept several law firms in business. Now, it's all smiles and pats on the back.

Arum, who never met a fight he couldn't spin into a tale of monumental significance, said that this fight would be a success even though, with Pacquiao from the Philippines and Hatton from England, there is no U.S. angle.

"Americans are not xenophobic," Arum proclaimed.

One wonders how that quote will play in France.

Eventually, because it apparently wasn't preventable, Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., was called to the microphone. He, like Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, is a former boxer. Each has accepted more than his share of blows to the head over the years, but only Roach admits that.

From the start of this promotion, months ago, they have been verbally battling. Mayweather Sr. likes to call Roach "the joke coach," and Roach likes to remind Mayweather Sr. that he got a head start on Mayweather in training careers because Mayweather was in prison for selling drugs.

What is beyond the borders of good taste elsewhere is standard fare in boxing.

This time, Mayweather Sr. tried some poetry.

"Pac-man, it's over. So stop wishing on that four-leaf clover."

"Ain't no secret. I hope you know. It's Hit Man Hatton by KO."

Roach took the microphone and wished the Hatton camp luck.

Mark Taffet, making the mandatory HBO speech (remember, pay per view, $49.95. Sign up now), gave both trainers a cleverly phrased boost.

"They are two men who are legendary in their ability to walk the walk," he said. "Now, their walk is exceeded only by their ability to talk the talk."

Taffet then announced that HBO's Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7, a new art form best described as advertising documentary, will do 24/7 Overtime Friday night. That will feature Jim Lampley interviewing Roach and Mayweather Sr., all three sitting in the ring at the MGM Grand.

Pray for Lampley.

Somewhere along the line, Arum introduced a member of Pacquiao's entourage. Before another Pacquiao fight, Arum had introduced a high-ranking Philippine official as "Governor what's-his-name." This time, he called Wacky Salud to the microphone.

Wacky was up for about a minute. He wore dark glasses and spoke in a deep gravely voice. His words appeared to be English. If this hadn't been a boxing news conference, it could have passed as an audition for a mafia movie.

Arum wrapped up the program by reminding all of how Pacquiao came from "abject poverty," and how he often sits outside his home in General Santos City and hands out food and money to people in need.

"The Philippines has the best social welfare system in the world," Arum proclaimed. "And it is called Manny Pacquiao."

The whole thing took a little more than an hour. It was jaw-dropping. It always is.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-pacquiao30-2009apr30,1,515202.column