Manny Pacquiao knows dealing with a fighter of Ricky Hatton’s caliber is no walk in the park.
That’s why he thinks overconfidence should be no part of his strategy once he faces the British superstar in the light welterweight division on May 2.
“Sa una kong laban sa 140 pounds, hindi po ako magiging overconfident dahil alam kong magaling din si Hatton (On my first fight in 140 pounds, I will not be overconfident because I know Hatton is a great fighter)” said Pacquiao in his column “Kumbinasyon” posted on PhilBoxing.com.
Hatton, the reigning IBO and Ring Magazine light welterweight champion, holds an impressive 45-1 record. He also has 32 knockouts under his belt.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, has a professional career record of 48 wins, three losses and two draws with 37 wins by knockout.
Pacquiao said that with the help of his fans he will try to hammer out a win.
“Sa tulong ng inyong panalangin, kakayanin natin uling manalo sa May 2 (With the help of your prayers, I will win come May 2),” he said.
Strengthening Pacman's midsection a priority
Meanwhile, celebrated trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza will work on strengthening the mid-section of Pacquiao in preparation against Hatton.
Ariza cited that Hatton was “a very solid body puncher.”
Mindful of Hatton’s strength, Ariza said he was working on a program that would “further strengthen Manny’s mid-section”. He said that he is doing the same thing with British lightweight Amir Khan who is training for his clash with Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
Ariza revealed that he would sit down with Roach who would tell him “what he wants and what he’s going to be looking for out of the fight.”
The conditioning expert said he would “come up with whatever program is best and run it by Freddie and Freddie will make the decision at that time.”
Off hand, Ariza indicated he would suggest “a lot of core work, a lot of strength exercises for his (Pacquiao’s) mid-section” but added that it would “all be up to Freddie.”
Roach said that Hatton’s body punches are the Briton’s best weapon because “he is a very good body puncher.
At the same time, the renowned trainer noted that Hatton fights rough and had the tendency to push his opponent against the ropes, throw a couple of punches and then grab to prevent his rival from throwing counter punches.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
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