It Looks Like It Could Be Hatton Next For Pacquiao

Ricky Hatton said recently he is worried a come-backing Floyd Mayweather will beat him to it when it comes to a big-fight showdown with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. Well, according to the latest word from top promoter Bob Arum, who handles "Pac-Man," Hatton need not be too concerned, as it looks more and more likely that the 30-year-old from Manchester will be next for the Filipino..

In an article in The Philippine Star, Arum spoke of a Pacquiao-Hatton fight. The promoter also discussed the possibility of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight for later on in 2009.

"The latest is we are talking to the Hatton people, and I think we are moving closer," Arum said. "I think that's the fight everyone wants to see. One thing I assure you it will not be at Wembley. Manny is not afraid to fight him there. But it makes no economic sense to do it in England at four or five in the morning, at an outdoor venue with a 90-percent chance of rain."

So Hatton has a very good shot at getting one part of his wish made true, the actual getting of the fight he so badly wants; he just won't have his wish of fighting in front of a massive home country audience granted. Arum says Las Vegas is likely as the fight's venue - probably The Thomas and Mack Centre.

Arum is correct when he says Pacquiao Vs. Hatton is a fight everyone wants to see, but so too is a Pacquiao-Mayweather clash being called for. Will that happen also?

"Mayweather we would love but Mayweather is moving very, very slowly," Arum said. "If he will be available it will be September or November next year. That's a possibility, but we haven't heard anything from the Mayweather people. I think his people want to do it but he hasn't given them the go-ahead."

I must admit, I felt for sure Floyd Junior would be putting himself out there, telling anyone who would listen to him that he was going to come back and beat Pacquiao so as to re-claim his position as pound-for-pound best in the sport. Instead, we have heard from Floyd Senior, but not from the unbeaten "Money." Surely Mayweather wants this fight? Maybe he's simply taking a back-seat approach, is quietly training like a man possessed and maybe Floyd will take on the winner out of "Pac-Man" and "The Hitman." Time will tell.

However, as good as things look right now, a Pacquaio-Hatton fight is in no way a 100-percent done deal.

According to the Star article, Arum, if he's unable to push through the Hatton fight for any reason, will consider another fighter for the superstar. Once again, Zab Judah's name cropped up. However, Arum closed by saying he is "optimistic it [a Hatton fight] will be done."

Let's hope so.

source: eastsideboxing