Their trainers are both predicting an early finish, but protagonists Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton are generally keeping their thoughts to themselves, focusing on the final days of training camp as their May 2 clash in Las Vegas nears.
Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, predicts the fight would be “sweet and easy,” with PacMan’s hand being raised in victory in three rounds.
Not to be outdone, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Hatton’s new trainer, counters that the megabuck match-up won’t reach the third round because The Hitman will finish the job in the first or second round.
Roach and Mayweather may sound like they are just hyping what is considered the biggest and richest boxing event so far this year, but their big claims actually reflect their respective strategies.
Mayweather said Hatton’s body punching, which is perhaps the most potent tool in the British superstar’s boxing tools, would be crucial during the fight.
“I have to be aggressive because Pacquiao is aggressive,” said Hatton, a natural junior welterweight who has never lost at that weight in 12 years. “Most of his opponents pull away from him and that’s when he catches them. I hope to move in on him and see how he reacts to pressure.”
Hatton observed that the last fighter to bring it to Pacquiao was Erik Morales in their first fight, and the three-time Mexican world champion won by unanimous decision.
Roach thinks Hatton’s attacking game would open up opportunities for his prized Filipino ward to unleash his speed and power, which could lead to an early, easy knockout for PacMan.
Hatton, however, scoffs at the prospect of Pacquiao stopping him early in the fight, stressing that his being a natural 140-pound campaigner in the ring would be to his advantage.
“Manny has fought only once above 135 pounds,” said Hatton, suggesting that Pacquiao would have problems dealing with him at 140 pounds. He was referring to the December 6 mega match at welterweight during which Pacquiao pummeled Oscar De La Hoya to submission, forcing the former top boxing draw to retire in his stool at the end of the eighth round.
But Roach downplayed the size and heft factor in this fight, stressing that Pacquiao and Hatton are almost of the same height and build.
In an earlier interview, the three-time trainer of the year noted that Pacquiao, the consensus best boxer in the world pound-for-pound, brings his power in both hands when he moves up in weight even as he retains his vaunted speed.
“Speed kills, and Manny will certainly win this fight again because of his speed and his power,” said Roach, who is credited for training 23 world champions, including Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and De La Hoya.
As usual, Pacquiao refuses to predict the outcome of his collision with Hatton. He even told an interviewer that he is not going for an early knockout as predicted by his trainer, in what could be a smart ploy to confound his British foe.
Both Pacquiao and Hatton have shifted their training to high gear, with both fighters sparring 10 rounds with at least three sparring mates to prepare for what has been dubbed “The Battle between East and West.”
Team Pacquiao has declared PacMan’s training sessions at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood off-limits to the public. Hatton, who has pitched his training camp in Las Vegas, is also working out away from the glare of his fans and the media.
Source: manilatimes.net
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