MANILA, Philippines – Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi, one of the 45 victims of junior welterweight king Ricky Hatton, expressed belief his tormentor will no longer be the boss at 140-lbs after his showdown with pound for pound superstar Manny Pacquiao.
Malignaggi, who lost to Hatton via an 11th round TKO last year, told Examiner.com that he sees a Pacquiao victory considering the Mancunian’s come-forward nature, which he said would leave him vulnerable to the Filipino icon’s thunderous right hooks.
He also laughed off Hatton’s claim that he’s tremendously improved in all aspects, including defense, under the tutelage of trainer Floyd Mayweather, Sr., and that he would be the more complete fighter come fight night.
“Sure, Ricky is looking great in the gym, hitting the pads with Mayweather. Hitting the pads is one thing and hitting the very improved Pacquiao is another. I don’t think there will be a big difference in the ring with Hatton despite Mayweather’s gym work," he said.
“Hatton still likes to jump and in out and when he does he will get hit by those awesome right hooks that Pacquiao throws. Not many southpaws can throw those type of powerful and speedy right hooks but Pacquiao does. If anyone is the improving and improved fighter of the two, it’s Manny and not Ricky," he added.
Malignaggi stressed he’s not being bitter to a former tormentor, whose whole family treated him well when they fought in Britain last year, but was only stating his objective views.
And in his prognosis, Pacquiao’s right hooks will bring about Hatton’s doom.
“Definitely that’s a big danger for Ricky in there. Manny throws so many of them and they come up the middle and then they come from around the side," he said.
Mayweather’s teachings and all, Malignaggi expects Hatton to revert back to his usual slugger’s style during the fight.
“They keep harping on the same old things about Ricky but Hatton will be Hatton once Manny clips him good and then the punches will come in bunches," he said.
Like the rest of the world, Malignaggi will be an interested viewer when Pacquiao and Hatton duke it out in their “Battle of East and West" title showdown this Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila).
Source: gmanews.tv
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