Will the Pac-man chew up the Hitman?
While some may suggest that the sport of boxing is being surpassed by mixed-martial arts, it is doubtful that any MMA event will get the kind of media attention, and pay-per-view buys that the boxing bout on May 2, 2009 will. To the delight of boxing betting and sports fans everywhere, the two biggest international combat sports superstars that we have perhaps ever seen will do battle live on HBO.
In terms of superstars, there may not be an athlete in the world who is more revered in his or her home country than Manny Pacquiao. The former world champion in four different weight classes is so popular in his homeland of the Philippines that some suggest he may be elected to lead the country once his boxing days are over. In addition, he has a box-office smash movie about his life, and a best-selling musical album, simply based on his fame as a boxer. His incredible popularity helped make his bout against Oscar De La Hoya one of the most-watched pay-per-view sporting events in history. Those who witnessed the event and wagered on Pacquiao on boxing odds were quite happy, as the Pac-man detroyed De La Hoya in eight rounds, despite moving up several weight classes to take the fight.
Ricky Hatton is from the land of royalty--England--and he is treated as such in his homeland as well. The only blemish on the Hitman's record is a TKO loss to Floyd Mayweather—but that can hardly be held against him, as Mayweather will go down as one of the greatest boxers of all-time. Hatton quickly avenged the loss with a decisive triumph over Paulie Malignaggi in November of 2008.
Those who bet on boxing will probably have their eyes on Manny Pacquiao in this bout once again, after he defied the boxing odds in defeating De La Hoya. Hatton has been described as a one-trick pony—a fighter who only knows how to come forward and brawl. Pacquiao is too smart of a boxer, and too quick with his hands to be thwarted by simple aggression. Unless Hatton can pick up some additional stealthy skills, he will continue to lose to elite boxers such as Mayweather and Pacquiao. The question is: Will the boxing lines be against Pacquiao again this time?
Source: betus.com
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