A packed house was on hand for the year’s most anticipated event, the lineal super lightweight world title fight between defending champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton and pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
Hatton came in at the divisional limit of 140 lb; Pacquiao was considerably under at 138 lb.
Both fighters looked shredded in making weight for tomorrow night’s main event, though there was a considerable delay and deliberate stalling before both fighters were finally able to make their way to the scales.
The downtime did little dispel the enthusiasm among the thousands of fans from the UK and Philippines, both of whom wildly cheered their heroes, and also let loose a round of boos for guest host Mario Lopez as well as former undisputed middleweight king Bernard Hopkins.
It didn’t take long for the UK crew to remind the world that there’s only one Ricky Hatton. For all other boxing fans, there’s only one superfight to which we have anxiously awaited, which is now finally upon us.
As extensively reported by Boxingscene.com co-Managing Editor Cliff Rold (and since mentioned elsewhere by better-known but considerably less enlightened mainstream writers), a win for Pacquiao will make him the only fighter in boxing history to claim lineal world titles in four separate weight classes, having previously served as the true world champion at flyweight, featherweight and junior lightweight. He has also earned alphabet titles at junior featherweight and lightweight.
Saturday’s event will mark Pacquiao’s fourth weight class in as many fights, in a span of just 14 months. The Filipino icon claimed the lineal junior lightweight crown with a stirring split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez last March.
Three months later came his nine-round beatdown of David Diaz for a lightweight belt before scoring the most notable win of his already legendary career, forcing Oscar de la Hoya to quit after eight brutally one-sided rounds last December.
Despite coming in as slightly more than a 5-2 betting favorite, the fight will be no walk in the park for Pacquiao.
The defending world champion, Hatton has never been beaten at super lightweight, where he has spent much of his 13-year career. This weekend’s superfight marks the seventh defense of the lineal 140 lb. crown he won four years ago with a career-best 11th round stoppage win over Kostya Tszyu.
He’s kept winning for the most part, though it’s been an uneven reign and career since then. Wins over Carlos Maussa, Juan Urango, Jose Luis Castillo and Paul Malignaggi came in impressive and conclusive fashion, while looking less than stellar in a title defense against Juan Lazcano and a close, controversial decision win over Luis Collazo in 2006.
The 11th round stoppage win over Malignaggi last November was Hatton’s first bout under the tutelage of outspoken head trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr, after having spent his entire career with Billy Graham. Hatton remains with Mayweather Sr for Saturday’s fight, although several media outlets have reported rumors of rifts between the outspoken trainer and members of Hatton’s camp.
In stark contrast, Pacquiao remains in the care of longtime head trainer Freddie Roach.
The super lightweight bout is scheduled for twelve rounds or less, headlining an 11-fight card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (Saturday, HBO PPV, 9PM ET/6PM PT).
THE UNDERCARD
The supporting cast players were introduced in the order that their bouts will appear on the pay-per-view telecast.
Opening up Saturday night’s show will be a 4 round super welterweight contest between undefeated Cuban prospect Erislandy Lara (4-0, 3KO), who came in at 155 lb. He was one pound lighter than his opponent, Chris Gray (11-7-2, 1KO, 156 lb) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
On a similar prospect level comes a four-round middleweight bout. Longhaired Phoenix-based journeyman Anthony Bartinelli (20-12-2, 13KO) drew the unfortunate assignment of having to share a ring with ultra-talented Matvey Korobov (4-0, 4KO), the former amateur standout and member of the 2008 US Olympic squad. Bartinelli weighed in at 161 lb, Korobev slightly heavier at 161½ lb.
Undefeated junior middleweight contender James Kirkland was to receive a grand showcase on the undercard, but will instead sit in a jail cell during the biggest event of 2009, thanks to very poor decisions made outside of the ring.
Taking his place on the show is Daniel Jacobs, who enjoyed a brilliant amateur career before turning pro in 2007, on the undercard of the lone loss of Hatton’s career, his 10th round stoppage defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Jacobs (15-0, 14KO) scored a 1st round knockout that evening, and hasn’t looked back, with all of his 14 knockouts coming inside of three rounds or less.
The lone criticism of Jacobs’ career to date has been the lack of improvement in his competition level. That changes tomorrow night, when he squares off against once-beaten middleweight Michael Walker. Jacobs’ superb discipline was displayed, weighing in at 163 lb just one week after appearing in a middleweight contest on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. To put it in proper perspective, Jacobs has only gained two pounds between weigh-ins just eight days apart, which includes replenishing for last Friday’s fight.
Walker (19-1-2, 12KO) came in one pound lighter at 162 lb.
The lone “major” alphabet title fight of the night serves as the evening’s co-feature. Super featherweight titlist Humberto Soto receives much-needed exposure, as he defends in the chief supporting act against once-beaten Canadian contender Benoit Guadet (20-1, 7KO), who came in just below the division limit at 129 lb; Soto (47-7-2, 30KO) hit 130 lb. on the dot.
Source: boxingscene.com
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