Pointers on how Hatton can beat Pacquiao

No beating around the bush: Ricky Hatton can beat Manny Pacquiao.

But hold it, not so fast please.

For that bizarre event to happen, it would require an upheaval, a very personal one.

How could Hitman Hatton beat Manny the Pacman?

It won’t be easy.

Pacquiao has got to lose to himself for Hatton to win come May 2 in Las Vegas.

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That’s corny, stupid.

How could Pacquiao lose to himself?

Unthinkable, that’s as bad, dirty as saying Pacquiao could take a dive.

It’s a mindless proposition.

It will never happen.

* * *

Sorry, but this intriguing prescription comes from a great boxing mind.

Yes, that’s the only way Hatton could prevail, explains lawyer-sportsman Rudy Salud, founding sec-gen of the World Boxing Council.

Señor Salud is the prizefight craftsman who framed the World Boxing Council constitution and by-laws, the former boss of over-staying WBC president Jose Sulaiman.

This is the same fellow who, much ahead of Freddie Roach, said Oscar De La Hoya could no longer swing it and therefore stood no chance whatsoever against Pacquiao.

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Anyway, for the record, Salud foresees a mismatch in the Pacquiao-Hatton bout.

However, he says it should be a lot more exciting than the Pacquiao-De La Hoya sleeper last December.

Skills wise, the two combatants are poles apart.

They are not of the same level and class, Salud observes.

Pacquiao, a certified KO artist, has developed tremendously into a complete boxer.

Hatton, on the other hand, has remained a very predictable slugger.

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Pacquiao possesses better skills and deeper ring craft.

Therefore, the only chance left for Hatton is for the real Pacquiao not to show up for the fight.

Bring in instead the one-dimensional slugger who lost his first bloody fight against Erik Morales in March 2005 and Hatton could have a chance.

Pacquiao could also come half-prepared.

Or he could allow himself to be blinded silly by over-confidence.

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These, of course, are a big no-no, knowing how Pacquiao kills himself in training.

The Pacman also never forgets what’s at stake both for his country and adoring people.

However, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Hatton’s trainer, has been saying that it will be a different Hatton who’ll show up for the Pacquiao fight.

The English Hitman will be a lot sharper and stronger, the famous trainer maintains.

Still, that’s no vouch Hatton could provide a decent challenge to the world pound-for-pound king.

* * *

But don’t go away, yet.

There’s one final option left for the brawling British boxing icon.

How? Hatton could jump ahead into the ring.

He could then kick, bang and knock out the referee.

With no official or policeman around, he could next hit and tear down Pacquiao.

He could throw all available foul weapons—elbows, head butts, knees, etc.—on the opponent.

Of course, that would be easier said than done.

The Pacman, in case they’ve forgotten, is also a born brawler, if not reputedly as dirty as the English Hitman.

Source: inquirer.net