Pacquiao has Hatton’s tactics all figured out

LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao said he has an inkling of what Ricky Hatton would be like come May 2. Based on Pacquiao’s estimation of the British slugger, Hatton is going to try to bob and weave as he inches closer to punching range then lean to his left as he prepares to throw his favorite punch, a left hook aimed at the body.

But just a split-second before Hatton would complete his trademark attack, something that has proven to be very successful in over 40 fights, Pacquiao is going to respond either by circling away from harm or unload a telling counter-punch.

“Hatton would come in doing like this,” said Pacquiao on Thursday as he simulated Hatton’s popular attacking style, complete with head and shoulder movement, trainer Freddie Roach watching intently from his favorite spot in the corner near the window inside the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
Pacquiao had just come off a six-round sparring session with Alisher Rahimov of Uzbekistan and David Rodela of the US, both of whom bore the brunt of Pacquiao’s furious flurries specially after the Filipino spent the day before without going through the rigors of gym work.

Roach had instructed Pacquiao to just chill out last Wednesday, citing that he had done more than enough the past 10 days to merit a rare day off. “We’re in top condition now,” said Pacquiao later inside his favorite Thai eatery just a stone’s throw away from the gym. Told about Hatton’s penchant for applying rough tactics like excessive holding, Pacquiao didn’t sound alarmed or even affected.

“No. We are ready for that. We train for that everyday,” said Pacquiao, whose penultimate sparring session will be held Saturday. Just before he leaves for Las Vegas on Monday afternoon, another sparring session, albeit a short one, will be done for the last time.

Still, Pacquiao refused to fall into a trap of making a prediction although there was something in the way he answered a question about which fighter will be bigger during the fight. “The winner of the fight will not be determined by who is bigger, but who hits the hardest,” said Pacquiao, confident that he, and not Hatton, has the pair of heavy hands. Asked if how the first few moments of the first round would be like, Pacquiao smiled, his eyes lighting up, and excitingly said, “he (Hatton) will try to get inside.” “That’s what I like,” said Pacquiao.

Source: mb.com.ph