HBO Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Full Video Episode 3

Episode 3 of the HBO Pacquiao Hatton 24/7

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HBO Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Full Video Episode 2

Pacquiao Hatton HBO 24/7 Episode 2 Watch Pacquiao vs Hatton Fight for free Live Streaming at http://pacquiaovshattonfight.blogspot.com on May 2,2009 (U.S. Time) May 3, 2009(Philippines Time)

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HBO Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Full Video Episode 1

Watch Manny "PACMAN" Pacquiao and Ricky "HITMAN" Hatton Prepare for their MAY 2, 2009 Mega Fight. Episode 1

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Trainers Floyd Mayweather Sr., Freddie Roach exchange verbal jabs before Pacquiao-Hatton

In preparation for the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton junior welterweight championship fight May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, feuding trainers Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Freddie Roach continue to slug it out for the best pound-for-pound title in their profession.

It's almost as much fun as the matchup in the ring.

The bad blood got spilled again in the pre-fight media gatherings leading up to "The Battle of East and West" on HBO pay-per-view ($49.95) next month.

A special four-tier trophy standing more than 5 feet tall, with the inscription "No. 1 Pound for Pound Best Trainer in the World," was unveiled Monday at a Hollywood red-carpet news conference to promote the fight. It prompted both trainers to up the ante in their long-raging war of words.

As usual, Mayweather, of Grand Rapids, belittled Roach.

"They've got Roach in the hall of fame. He should be in the hall of shame," he told the international media. "Let's tell the truth like it is: You see Freddie Roach training and you see me training, it's night and day. Don't even compare. Don't even come close. Freddie Roach is a joke. And that's why I say his name is Freddie 'The Joke Coach' Roach, as far as I'm concerned.

Roach didn't hesitate to fire back.

He, after all, recently was named 2008 Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America -- for an unprecedented third time.

"Floyd can read some good poems. That he's all good at that I know of. What has Floyd Sr. achieved? His son's a natural-born fighter. His brother, Roger, trained him anyway. Floyd never trained his son for a world title fight," he said. "He tells me he's the greatest (trainer), but what has he done?

"He trained Oscar De La Hoya after Oscar has already won four world titles," he added, for emphasis. "Floyd is a legend in his own mind."

The feud flared up again during a private media luncheon.

The animosity between the rival trainers stems from when De La Hoya fired Mayweather in 2007 and hired Roach to prepare him for a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A transcript of their latest verbal exchange Monday, captured by Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times, appeared on BoxingScene.com. Some of the highlights:

Mayweather Sr.: My man is all those good things we were talking about. And then you went over to Freddie 'The Joke Coach' Roach.

Roach: Please change that. Get a new line. That one's old.

Mayweather Sr.: It's old Freddie, but it's got to be used because you is a roach. You is a joke, Roach.

Roach: You were the greatest. Just shut up.

Mayweather Sr.: Freddie, don't get upset. We are all just here talking. I know I get up under your skin, don't worry about it.

Roach: Can I borrow some of your rings?

Mayweather Sr.: You can buy them. Sure you can.

Roach: I can't afford them.

Mayweather Sr.: You can't afford them? We both (got) a lot of money. Is that what you're trying to say. It's like the stupid thing you said before. You are in the Hall of Fame. No, you belong in the hall of shame.

Roach: I'm in the hall of fame. Are you?

Mayweather Sr.: I have to stand up when I hear a guy like you is in the hall of fame. You have to be joking me. Everybody knows that you are a joke. You know that you don't belong in the hall of fame. You know the old guy that died, Eddie Futch. I'm saying that because you didn't get in the hall of fame yourself.

Roach: Why aren't you (in there)?

Mayweather Sr.: You didn't get in the hall of fame yourself. You don't know nothing. We all know that you're punch drunk anyway.

Roach: And you're not? And you're not?

The report concludes with Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, interrupting the affair: "Alright, we are going to put that on the undercard."

Hilarious stuff.

Perhaps more entertaining is what'll happen if Hatton defeats Pacquiao and lures Mayweather Jr. out of retirement for a rumored megafight in November.

Imagine the verbal sparring match between trainers Floyd Mayweather Sr. and his estranged brother, Roger, who replaced him in corner and helped guide "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather's rise to the title of pound-for-pound king.

If that happens, it'll be a Mayweather three-for-all leading up to that contest.

Source: http://www.mlive.com/boxing/index.ssf/2009/04/trainers_floyd_mayweather_sr_f.html

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Hatton-Pacquiao buzz hits Hollywood

As hundreds of fans filled the area in front of the historic Roosevelt Hotel, with hundreds more gathered on the sidewalk across the street on Hollywood Blvd. on Monday night, actors Mickey Rourke and Mark Wahlberg made their way down the red carpet.

This was no Hollywood premiere, but a news conference for the highly anticipated junior welterweight fight between Ricky Hatton of England and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines on May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

It was an affair befitting two fighters with fanatical rooting interests.

"I mean, this is fun," said Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter. "It's over and above the usual press conference."

Minutes earlier, Arum had climbed under the velvet rope to talk to a group of screaming fans who were trying to get his attention. A hotel employee said, "Oh, that's cool," of Arum's move.

"They're my fans, they're my customers," Arum said. "You gotta say hello to your customers."

Richard Schaefer stood on the red carpet doing interviews and exchanging pleasantries with fans.

"This is great," said Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which promotes Hatton. "You have the two most popular fighters in the world fighting each other and to do a red carpet on Hollywood Blvd., I think they deserve it. They've earned it."

And just think, if Coach Ben Howland's UCLA basketball team hadn't been eliminated in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Howland might not have been able to
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attend.

But Howland was there, taking it all in at the hotel that hosted the first Academy Awards 80 years ago.

"Yeah, I love boxing," Howland said. "I'm very excited about this fight. And I'm looking forward to attending, hopefully, in May."

Howland marveled at the tremendously animated crowd.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "I mean, look at the amount of attention and interest for this fight. It's spectacular."

It was all that.

Even Pacquiao, who is swarmed just about everywhere he goes, had that deer-in-the-headlights look as he turned the final corner of the red carpet before heading into the hotel.

"You know, I understand that there are a lot of fans coming here tonight because there is a Hatton and Pacquiao conference," Pacquiao said. "I understand they are rooting for me."

Most of them were. But once this event hits Vegas, it will be difficult to tell which fighter has brought along the stronger following. Pacquiao's fans seem to make more noise than any other group. They are ultra-passionate.

But Hatton's might be the most tireless. When some 35,000 of them ventured across the pond for Hatton's Dec. 2007 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas, many didn't even have rooms, let alone tickets. They just stayed up all night drinking and filling the casinos with one rendition after another of "Walking in a Hatton Wonderland."

"It's going to be electric, really electric," Arum said. "And one prediction I can make, which I can guarantee 100 percent - they will sell more beer at the MGM Grand Garden than in any night in years."

Shoot, try ever.

There also was a bit of boxing talk at Monday's gala. Some of it centered on the speed advantage of Pacquiao and the size edge Hatton will bring into the ring.

Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) has said, since this fight was made, that he doesn't put much stock in Pacquiao's welterweight victory over Oscar De La Hoya last December because

De La Hoya appeared spent from the opening bell.

"He looked a shell of the Oscar we know, and I don't want to put Manny down a bit too much, but I don't think it was hard to beat Oscar that night," Hatton said.

Before then, Pacquiao had never fought at higher than the 135-pound lightweight limit. Even though he and Hatton are virtually the same height, Hatton has fought most of his career at the 140-pound junior welterweight limit.

And, he's fought a couple of times at welterweight (147).

Furthermore, even though Hatton said Monday that he weighed 150, he claims he will weigh 154 pounds on the night of the fight, which would be a gain of 14 pounds from the weigh-in.

"I think size will play a big factor," Hatton said. "I've beaten bigger men, like (welterweight) Luis Collazo, a strong, fast, massive southpaw. I made Kostya Tszyu quit on his stool (after the 11th round). Manny's nowhere near as big or strong as these guys. Obviously, he's dangerous in other areas, like his speed, his footwork and the southpaw (stance). But I'm boxing a lot cuter than I was maybe a few fights ago."

But Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, said he believes his fighter is going to overpower Hatton.

"In studying Hatton for the last two months, I mean, his chin's up in the air, he swings from outside, he's so hittable," Roach said. "If Manny just punches down the middle, he's going to kill Hatton."

Whatever transpires, it should thrilling.

"It's going to be crazy," Pacquiao said. "If you look at the style of Hatton and my style, it's kind of similar styles. So we expect a lot of action."

It will be available on HBO pay-per-view for $49.95.

Who's really the best junior welterweight?

The May 2 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton is the junior welterweight fight everybody is looking forward to. But Timothy Bradley and Kendall Holt want to eventually have something to say about who is the best in the division.

Neither Hatton nor Pacquiao hold one of the four major belts, but Bradley and Holt have one each, and they will square off tonight in a title unification fight in Montreal (on Showtime).

During Thursday's final news conference, both Bradley and Holt made reference to Pacquiao and Hatton.

"I consider us the best fighters in the division," Bradley said of he and Holt. "I want to fight the best in boxing and that is exactly what Kendall and I are doing here. We are at the top of the division."

The winner will face the stars.

"Pacquiao is moving up to 140 and he is the best pound-for-pound fighter," Holt said. "Hatton is a star at 140 as well, but we are the champions and these stars are going to have to face us."

Holt also talked about what the future might hold.

"After I win, if Hatton wins, then I'd like to fight him," he said. "Pacquiao is pound-for-pound the best, but he hasn't fought at 140, so we'll see what he can do."

It might seem like Bradley and Holt have forgotten they have a fight with each other. That is somewhat understandable because Hatton and Pacquiao are where the money's at in the division.

But Bradley (23-0, 11 KOs) is one of the most focused fighters out there. And it's doubtful he is looking ahead.

"I respect every fighter I fight," Bradley said. "But going into this fight, it is plain and simple: I just think that I am better.

I'm going home with both belts. I'm hungry for this victory."

To which Holt (25-2, 13 KOs) replied, "Tim said he is hungry. Well, (tonight) I'm going to give him a lot of leather to eat."

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_12069527

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PACQUIAO ENTERS 5TH WEEK OF TRAINING (WITH PHOTOS)

Los Angeles, CA.:- As promised, here is my Wednesday report from the Pacquiao training camp at the Wildcard Gym.

I purposely got to the gym a whole lot earlier just so I can catch up with the training of Gerry Penalosa who comes to the Wildcard Gym way ahead of the Pacman.

Gerry came in at exactly 11:30am and immediately got on with the business of getting ready for his April 25th date with Juan Manuel Lopez in Puerto Rico.

With 24 days still to go before that fateful day, Gerry is already looking very sharp. In fact, one of the pundits at the gym stated that he looks so ready that he can fight even if his match with Lopez is done tomorrow.

Gerry sparred four rounds with a Filipino-American boxer they called Diamond.

He is a 130 pounder and had been boxing for six years and taller than Penalosa.

The young man gave a good account of himself but of course he was no match for the defensive strategist in Penalosa. He managed to sneak in a few good right hooks but he ate a lot of leather in return.

Then the Pacman came in way pass two o’clock. Apparently, he run up the hills of Griffith Park earlier in the morning and didn’t have time to get ready in time. Besides, he apparently wanted to finish some business before he came to the gym.

But as soon as he got to the gym, which incidentally was cleared out of people not connected to the Team and to HBO by security chief Rob Peters, he proceeded to the dressing room to changed.

His initial tasks were stretching exercises with Alex Ariza to get him warmed up.

Following that procedure which lasted about 20 minutes, he donned his sparring gloves assisted by Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri and climbed up the ring to do the punch mitts with Freddie Roach.

What was supposed to be a 10 round deal turned out to be 12 at first, then Pacquiao asked for more so they ended up doing 16 rounds.

All during the procedure, they were strategizing and rehearsing their battle plans in anticipation of what Ricky Hatton and Mayweather will come up on May 2nd.

Then the Pacman went on to do the single and the double speed bags followed by shadow boxing and the rest of the usual routine.

The crew from HBO’s 24/7 filmed the whole training regimen of Pacquiao.

After Pacman was done, Dennis Laurente of the Elorde Gym in Paranaque came up to do his thing. He was ably assisted by Buboy Fernandez with the punch mitts.

Bernabe Concepcion came along too. Although his fight with Steven Luevano has been called off, Concepcion appears upbeat and continued to do his part. “I am hoping they will find another fighter,” he said to this writer. “The promoter tells me that we should know in a week or two,” he added.

Concepcion worked with Freddie Roach and it was amazing to see Roach do some more punch mitts with him almost right after the grueling 16 rounds with Pacquiao. Truly, the man is a work-horse and a marvelous trainer.

Also spotted on the ring sweating it out were Bobby Pacquiao and Rodel Mayol.

Both of them indicated that they have no immediate schedules but they are keeping in shape just in case something comes along.

A couple of large boxes of shoes and training outfits, jackets and t-shirts were delivered to the gym. A quick perusal of the stuff revealed that the brand name was different from the usual ones we see with Team Pacquiao. But just the same, they were gifts to the Team and they were graciously accepted.

Also spotted at the Wildcard Gym today was the basketball varsity team from the University of the East headed by Coach Lawrence Chongson. They are in town to do a basketball camp in the San Fernando Valley area and then will compete against other teams in Las Vegas in about two weeks.

source:philboxing.com

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Hatton’s got no defense — Roach

Day in and day out, trainer Freddie Roach just couldn’t seem to understand why fight fans keep on asking him why he thinks Manny Pacquiao will get past Ricky Hatton as though the British is just a mere speck on the road and not a roadblock that some aficionados love to portray him to be.

“Hatton gets hit easily and he’s got no defense,” Roach told the Bulletin Friday from the Wild Card Boxing Club, site of Pacquiao’s training camp for the May 2 battle with Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Manny is way much better than Hatton. I just can’t see Manny losing the fight,” said Roach, who believes Pacquiao will get the job done in three rounds or less.

“I am more confident in saying that Manny will beat Hatton than when he fought (Oscar) De La Hoya,” said Roach, who presided over another heated eight-round sparring session involving Pacquiao against hot welterweight prospect Raymond Serrano of Philadelphia and rugged lightweight Urbano Antillon.

“Eight rounds of good and hard rounds and Manny just keeps on getting better and better and I am happy where he’s at right now,” said Roach.

Still, Roach wants to instill in Pacquiao’s mind that he cannot afford to relax against Hatton.

“Getting his back on the ropes would be the biggest mistake (that Manny will make),” said Roach, when reminded that in one of the workouts with Antillon, Pacquiao allowed his sparmate to pound away as though he was a punching bag.

“He’s getting bored that’s why he does that,” said Roach, noting however that Pacquiao will be on his guard next week with the arrival of Mike Alvarado, an unbeaten junior-welter from Denver, Colorado.

Alvarado holds a 25-0 record with 18 knockouts and is fighting underneath the Pacquiao-Hatton show.

Roach stressed that Pacquiao just cannot elect to stay stationary against Hatton, who thrives against fighters who stand still and trade at close range.

Under Roach’s plans, Pacquiao will go eight rounds on Saturday “then go nine rounds next and ten rounds before going 12 rounds (sometime in the third week of this month).”

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Manny Pacquiao Promises 'Once in a Lifetime Fight' vs. Ricky Hatton

In a telephone interview with FanHouse, Manny Pacquiao, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, talked about his dominant win over Oscar De La Hoya, his upcoming fight with Ricky Hatton (Saturday, May 2 on HBO pay-per-view) and what it's like to be the biggest star in the Philippines.

Michael David Smith: We're a few months removed from your fight with Oscar De La Hoya. When you look back on that fight, are you surprised at how thoroughly you dominated him?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, before the fight I believed, of course, I was going to beat Oscar -- but not in an easy fight like that. I am surprised that it was an easy fight.

Most people consider you the best boxer in the world. Do you consider yourself the best boxer in the world?
I don't want to think about that, whether I'm the best in the world. I want to focus on my career and give a good show in my fight with Ricky Hatton.

The person who was considered the best boxer in the world before you was Floyd Mayweather Jr. Do you think Floyd is really retired, or will we see him in the ring again?
I think he's going to fight again. He's not really retired.

Do you think you will fight him some day?
That's possible. Maybe after this fight. I heard from Floyd Jr.'s camp that he's coming back to the ring.

So people around Floyd have told you that you should expect him to return?
Yes, that's what I heard from the people around Floyd, that he's not really retired.

Do you think he would want a tune-up fight against an easier opponent or would he jump right in and fight you if you beat Ricky Hatton?
For me -- if I'm Floyd -- I would fight a tune-up fight and then fight me. That's for me, but I don't know what his plan is. He might want to fight me right away.

Obviously, before you can fight Floyd you'll need to beat Ricky Hatton. What kind of challenge does Ricky Hatton pose to you?
Ricky Hatton is a strong fighter, a good fighter. He's the top guy, and he's never lost at 140 pounds. I would never underestimate Hatton. I consider this fight the toughest fight of my career. I'm not looking past this fight.


Have you watched a lot of tape of Hatton's fights to prepare?
Yes, I've watched his last few fights. I study every opponent I fight, and as I train for Hatton I look for certain techniques that I can apply to this fight.

You've fought everywhere from strawweight (106 pounds) at the start of your professional career to welterweight (147 pounds) against De La Hoya. What do you think is the ideal weight class for you?
I'm comfortable at 140 pounds. I weigh 148 right now.

You're the most popular athlete in the Philippines, but is there a down side to your fame? Do you wish you could just walk down the street and be left alone?
I wish I could. I wish I could. But that would never happen. Especially right now. I can't walk down the street in the Philippines.

You're 30 years old, you've been boxing professionally since you were 16, and you have 53 professional fights under your belt. How much longer will you box?
I don't want to fight much longer. I'm planning right now to retire soon.

What will you do after you retire?
My plan is to run for office.

I know you've run for office in the past as well. What is it about politics that appeals to you?
I want to run for office because I want to help people. I grew up in poverty, and I want to see other people have better lives. I think I can improve the situation for a lot of people.

I've heard that you are recording your own entrance music, and against Hatton you'll come out to a song that you sing yourself.
Yes, I have a new album and I'm going to use my song as my ring entrance on May 2.

Will you get more involved in music when you retire from boxing?
Yes. I love to sing. I'd like to have a concert soon after my boxing career ends.

What would you like fans to know about you?
Just that they should watch my upcoming fight on May 2 against Ricky Hatton. It's going to be a great, great fight, a once in a lifetime fight.


source:boxing.fanhouse.com

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Fight will be short and sweet

MANILA, Philippines - Those hoping for a long, bitter struggle between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton on May 2 won’t get it.

“It’s going to be short and sweet,” said Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, during Monday’s red-carpet meeting between the two great boxers and their trash-talking handlers in Hollywood.

Roach said it could or should be over in three rounds.

“I think it’s going to be the best three rounds you’ve ever seen. Ricky is going to force the action and Manny is going to respond to it. But Manny is going to get him early and I believe he will knock him out in the early rounds.”

Even Mark Wahlberg, the rapper, actor, endorser and producer rolled into one said during the press conference he doesn’t expect the fight to last the distance.

The 38-year-old celebrity, who ran a series of underwear ads for Calvin Klein before he became a movie star, is Roach’s friend, and is obviously rooting for Pacquiao.

“Freddie is the best,” said Wahlberg who visited Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym as the latter trained for his Oscar dela Hoya fight last December.

“We know what he did to Dela Hoya and he’s going to do the same to Hatton. Obviously, the winner will fight Floyd Mayweather (Jr.),” he said in a video clip posted on the net by Lance Pugmire of the LA Times.

The world is waiting for that Pacquiao-Mayweather fight although Bob Arum, the promoter of the Pinoy icon, and Roach are not too keen on fighting the ex-pound-for-pound champion.

But Pacquiao could be open to anything.

“For me – if I’m Floyd – I would fight a tune-up fight and then fight me,” Pacquiao told FanHouse.com. “That’s for me, but I don’t know what his plan is. He might want to fight me right away.”

“I think he’s going to fight again. He’s not really retired,” added Pacquiao of the American who retired last year undefeated in 39 fights.

During the same press conference, Roach traded jabs with Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr.

“Pacquaio’s going to go from first class to coach, because of the Roach,” said Mayweather Sr., so flamboyant he can move around in a pink suit.

Then, according to reports, chants of “Man-ny! Man-ny!” filled the room, and Pacquiao, as if on cue, took the microphone by saying “I fight for freedom. I fight for Scotland” the way it was delivered by actor Mel Gibson in his epic film “Braveheart.”

“They’ve got Roach in the Hall of Fame (when) he should be in the Hall of Shame,” added Mayweather Sr.

Roach didn’t take it sitting down.

“Floyd can read some good poems that’s all he’s good at that I know of. What has Floyd Senior achieved? His son’s a natural-born fighter. His brother, Roger, trained him anyway. Floyd never trained his son for a world title fight. He tells me he’s the greatest but what has he done? He trained Oscar De La Hoya after Oscar has already won four world titles. Floyd is a legend in his own mind,” said Roach on the TimesOnline.


source:philstar.com

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Red carpet Ricky

Ricky Hatton is an old stablemate, and good friend of Michael Gomez. They were together under Billy Graham.

Ricky pitched up in Hollywood this week and was handed the real red carpet treatment. Film stars Mickey Rourke and Mark Wahlberg were on hand at the famous Roosevelt Hotel on Monday night, for the final media leg of the worldwide attraction that's 'Hatton-Pacquiao'!

We are Stateside to gain a real insight into the camps of both Hatton and his outstanding ring foe Manny Pacquiao, and this special evening press conference was a great start! Hundreds of Hatton and Pacquiao fans had been waiting all day for a glimpse of their heroes, and there was a real fight fever in the air.

Men, women, children... everyone. Plenty of supporters on both sides, but especially for Pacquiao. Yet I spoke to some knowledgeable fans who feel this is Hatton's fight. They were passionate with their views.

Ricky appears to be in serious shape already, and there is a burning desire and edge to him. As the underdog, he is desperate to prove people wrong again, and is utterly convinced that he will finally become the pound-for-pound champion.

Pacquiao was cheered by the hordes hanging out on Hollywood Boulevard. Sharply dressed, relaxed and cool, Pacquiao once again offered no real fight prediction.

Sideshow

This is one classy champion, who prefers to keep his quotes to a minimum and let it all fly on fight night. Tremendously dedicated, Pacquiao seemed in excellent condition with over four weeks to go; there was a glow about Manny, and he really looked the part.

A sideshow was provided between trainers Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather, who continues to goad and wind up his arch rival. Mayweather's poems have hit Manchester and London on this global tour and he was off again here.

Promoter Bob Arum added to the circus by providing a garish trophy for the winning coach - just to add some spice and a sub-plot to the fascinating main event.

Fight figures joined the celebs on show, and I caught up with Victor Ortiz, one of the finest prospects in world boxing. What a great guy. Victor will soon be in hard training for a crack at the WBA Light-Welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnik, but he cannot wait for the Hatton-Pacquiao fight. He sparred with Oscar De La Hoya before the Golden Boy's nightmare against Pacquiao. He might be a fine southpaw for the Hitman's camp too this time, if they can work something out.

The media turn out was enormous - you know it's a big event when photographers bring step-ladders - and there was much jockeying for position, but our excellent cameraman out here, Oli Hallowes, managed to fight his way through through the madness so we could interview the main protagonists on the red carpet. It was a different, fun and memorable event: tune into Friday Fight Night for our exclusive piece from Hollywood.

Back home, well done to Tony Quigley for his rousing British Super-Middleweight title win against the always-brave Tony Dodson last week. I would love to see Quigley in another Liverpool showdown against Paul Smith.

As a commentator, it is obviously imperative to remain impartial, but it's only human nature to get close to people, and it's very easy to find friends within the fighting industry - mostly those who I have worked with for years.

Adamant

'Smigga' is a pal - we were brought together through our passion for Liverpool Football Club. Not only do I think his boxing talent will turn him into a domestic champion one of these days, I fully expect to see Paul in Rome for the Champion's League final on May 27th!

Ricky is another good mate of mine. But that's not the reason I feel he may upset the odds and defeat Manny Pacquiao. I really think he can win this fight. I never thought he'd beat Floyd Mayweather in December 2007, and as others began to sway towards him when that mega-match closed in, I remained adamant that Ricky would, unfortunately, come up short. The weight, the timing, really just the simple brilliance of Mayweather.

Pacquiao deserves his place at the top; he is a supremely fast, skillful, powerful southpaw who has achieved truly great things, but he is not the defensive genius that's Mayweather. I'm not sure Manny beats Floyd - a fight we should see if Pacquiao wins on May 2nd - because Mayweather's 'retirement' was never permanent.

Yet I don't think Pacquiao necessarily beats Hatton. This time the weight is correct, and the time may be right for the Hitman. Ricky Hatton could well become pound-for-pound king.

Having said that, I have been mightily impressed with Pacquiao's attitude and drive ahead of the super-fight. I also really like, admire and rate his trainer Freddie Roach. Freddie told me over and over again that Pacquiao would easily stop De La Hoya in the middle rounds. I ignored him.

Now he predicts Hatton's downfall in a short, explosive tear up a la Hagler-Hearns. Roach actually has a big soft spot for Hatton, but he really likes his fighter in this, and says Ricky won't last three rounds.

I am standing poised to ignore my friend Freddie again - maybe that's my folly - but it's not a heart-over-head call. I just have a sneaky suspicion that Ricky Hatton will be too much for Manny Pacquiao at his beloved 10 stone.

However, if you read my exclusive report next week from the training camp of the man Hatton must topple, you will see why Manny Pacquiao is the heavily fancied pre-fight favourite...

Source: skysports.com

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Hatton to pack kryptonite vs Super Pacman

Manny Pacquiao will assume the role of Clark Kent when he meets Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Hatton trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. told Doug Fischer of The Ring magazine’s online edition on Wednesday that the British banger’s knack for throwing body blows will be “Pacquiao’s kryptonite.”

For Hatton to improve on his chances of scoring an upset at the MGM Grand, he will have to get through Pacquiao’s first line of defense.

“I have to be aggressive because Pacquiao is aggressive. Everyone pulls away from him and that’s when he catches him. I hope to move in on him,” said Hatton, who set up camp in Las Vegas over the weekend after six weeks of hard training in Manchester.

”Floyd is teaching me to use my jab and to move my head as I come forward, which will help me get inside without getting caught, but once I’m there it will be the old Ricky that breaks (Pacquiao) down,” said Hatton, who is a 2-1 underdog.

The final push of Hatton’s training will be supervised by Mayweather Sr. and assistant Lee Beard and the fighter’s agent, Paul Speak, stressed that they have “acclimatized” to the desert weather.

Speak said “everything is going well” and that “Ricky's younger brother Matthew will fly out to join the camp soon.”

Since turning professional in 1995, Pacquiao has been stopped twice — by countryman Rustico Torrecampo with a head blow — and by Medgoen 3K Battery of Thailand with a right to the ribcage when Pacquiao lost the World Boxing Council flyweight title on the scales for failing to meet the 112-lb limit.

Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico had also hurt Pacquiao with a body shot in their rematch last year, making Team Hatton more than confident of getting the job done in sensational fashion.

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said his fighter will have to stay away from the ropes since Hatton is a devil when given the chance to pound away when his man is pinned on the ropes.

Pacquiao is making his debut at 140 lbs, a weight class that Hatton considers as his territory.

Source: mb.com.ph

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