The superfight of 2009 between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao is expected to be officially confirmed today.
The jockeying for fiscal position between both camps ground to a halt late last week, but platitudes began again to ring out on both sides over the weekend.
Across the Pacific and the Atlantic, there is now accord that the fight will take place on May 2, in Las Vegas, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and at light-welterweight (140lbs). As yet, a belt is not on the line, but expect the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) to put their gong up for grabs.
In reality, the belt does not mean anything. Hatton is widely regarded as the 140lb world king, and Pacquiao is fighting at the weight for the first time.
Gareth Williams, Hatton's legal counsel told Telegraph Sport last weekend that the super-fight with Pacquiao is "99 per cent certain to take place" and that he had had assurances from Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, Hatton's US representative, that a signed contract from Manny Pacquiao was "in his possession". A clear change of tune, moreover, from the "series of false promises" he had angrily declared only days earlier.
Hatton has yet to enter training camp, having been on a stand-up tour on which he tells jokes about his family and his life.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, according to sources in the Philippines, has been "relaxing with close friends" enjoying a round of golf at the Wack Wack Golf & Country Club in Mandaluyong. Pacquiao is expected to leave with wife Jinkee and their newborn baby girl 'Queen Elizabeth' for their hometown of General Santos City on this morning's Philippine Airlines flight.
Pacquiao is due to report to trainer Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym on March 1 after he kicks-off a promotional tour late February which will take him to London and Manchester, Hatton's manor.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
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