Showing posts with label pacman vs hitman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pacman vs hitman. Show all posts
Thursday, January 29, 2009
It's been emotional, says Ricky Hatton on Manny Pacquiao talks
Ricky Hatton has revealed that he experienced the full gamut of emotions from "delighted to devastated" during last week's negotiations with Manny Pacquiao over their May 2 superfight in Las Vegas.
The contest was finally secured last weekend when Pacquiao signed, ending speculation that boxing's greatest match of 2009 had imploded with the teams unable to agree terms, in spite of date, venue and television rights being in place.
Hatton, in Manchester explained his feelings for the first time since the fight was announced: "They were a very difficult few weeks. Previously we had spoken to Bob Arum [Pacquiao's promoter] and we'd agreed on the deal. I was delighted. I was jumping through hoops.
"But then with the on-off, on-off nature of last week, I was devastated. Finally it came to a head last week and I said to my dad [Ray Hatton, his manager] and my lawyer Gareth Williams that if it was not on by [last] weekend, we would have to call it off."
"I really needed to know in my mind who I was fighting because the whole family are just about to go on our annual cruise – we're off to the Caribbean – until mid February before I start a 12-week training camp with Floyd [Mayweather Sr] and Lee Beard.
"I will be speaking to Floyd shortly, but it looks like I'll go to Vegas for eight weeks this time before I fight."
Hatton, 30, who has lost only once in his 46 fight career – to Floyd Mayweather Jnr, then the world's No 1 pound-for-pound fighter – insisted that Filipino Pacquiao's rating as the best boxer in the world at present was a driving issue for him.
Hatton said: "I've challenged once for it, I'm focused, I've got my eye on the prize. I've always said it, but I don't think, at 10st, anyone in the world can bat me.
"Nor can I see this fight going 12 rounds. I'm convinced I will beat Manny."
Hatton also believes Oscar De La Hoya's condition last December added to the Filipino's gloss on the night. "I do think he boxed a shell of Oscar De La Hoya. But I don't want to take anything away from Manny.
"He is a great champion, and the only way to become a great fighter is to box great champions. It is an honour and a privilege to be sharing a ring with him."
Source: telegraph.co.uk/
Mayweather Sr. - Hatton To Knockout Pacquiao In Round One
This may be the boldest prediction so far on the much-anticipated Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown May 2.
Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., was quoted by a Manila-based daily which interviewed him via an overseas phone call as saying the Hitman will practically breeze through boxing's acknowledged pound-for-pound king.
"Manny Pacquiao's chances are slim. If he dosen't run, we'll get him in one," said Mayweather. "Ricky will either knock him out or give him a terrible ass whoopin'," he added.
This, of course is in stark contrast to the prediction of Freddie Roach, trainer of Manny Pacquiao, who sees a Pacquiao win via stoppage in the ninth round. "Nine is my favorite number," said Roach, who accurately predicted Pacquiao's stoppage of Oscar De La Hoya.
Mayweather's fearless forecast sends a lot of eyebrows into orbit. A Hitman KO of the Pacman in the early rounds is somewhat too drastic to imagine when you consider that the Pacman's last defeat within the distance was in the early part of his career when he was still fighting as a flyweight in the late 1990s. Since then, Pacquiao has never kissed the canvas.
Of course, expect trainers to come up with forecasts proclaiming their wards as the winner of an upcoming big fight. That, perhaps, is part of their job description. Besides, it helps in the publicity build-up for the fight.
But Mayweather's pronouncement shows his confidence in Hatton is off the charts. Could he possibly have found the magic bullet to shoot down Manny Pacquiao?
Source: bleacherreport.com
Pacquiao vs Hatton dubbed "The Battle of East and West"
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has revealed that after a two-hour conference call on marketing the May 2 showdown between Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and Britain’s IBO light welterweight champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, a title for the fight was decided on.
Arum, in a conversation with BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports said the name is a takeoff on Rudyard Kipling’s poem titled “The Ballad of East and West” and they had decided on the title “The Battle of East and West.”
Arum recited what he called “that beautiful couplet” – “When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth” which he said they would put on all the posters and other promotional material for the massive showdown.
Arum was also pleased at the unsolicited buildup given the fight by Eddie Hearn, a top executive of Matchroom Sport which is owned by his father Barry Hearn, who Arum described as “a very good friend.”
Hearn who is visiting Manila to compete in a poker tournament formally announced the staging of the PartyPoker.com World Cup of Pool from September 1-6 in Manila with 31 countries competing said “I know Ricky Hatton very well. I am a great admirer of Manny Pacquiao and I think that Manny will win the fight. He will be too strong.”
Hearn said “no matter how much money they have, which is a lot, they will never give up and they both have huge hearts. When you get two guys like that you’ll have to drag one of them out of the ring and I think Hatton will be the one to be dragged out of the ring with Pacquiao stopping him in the late rounds – 9, 10, 11.”
The Matchroom director said Hatton is not like Oscar De La Hoya who Pacquiao hammered into submission in eight rounds last December 6 . While conceding that Hatton was “not at the level of De La Hoya who is at the end of his career. Ricky has a lot left in his tank and he’s a warrior. And he’ll give it everything. I hope that Manny Pacquiao can take a punch because he will get hit in this fight.”
Source: boxingscene.com
Arum, in a conversation with BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports said the name is a takeoff on Rudyard Kipling’s poem titled “The Ballad of East and West” and they had decided on the title “The Battle of East and West.”
Arum recited what he called “that beautiful couplet” – “When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth” which he said they would put on all the posters and other promotional material for the massive showdown.
Arum was also pleased at the unsolicited buildup given the fight by Eddie Hearn, a top executive of Matchroom Sport which is owned by his father Barry Hearn, who Arum described as “a very good friend.”
Hearn who is visiting Manila to compete in a poker tournament formally announced the staging of the PartyPoker.com World Cup of Pool from September 1-6 in Manila with 31 countries competing said “I know Ricky Hatton very well. I am a great admirer of Manny Pacquiao and I think that Manny will win the fight. He will be too strong.”
Hearn said “no matter how much money they have, which is a lot, they will never give up and they both have huge hearts. When you get two guys like that you’ll have to drag one of them out of the ring and I think Hatton will be the one to be dragged out of the ring with Pacquiao stopping him in the late rounds – 9, 10, 11.”
The Matchroom director said Hatton is not like Oscar De La Hoya who Pacquiao hammered into submission in eight rounds last December 6 . While conceding that Hatton was “not at the level of De La Hoya who is at the end of his career. Ricky has a lot left in his tank and he’s a warrior. And he’ll give it everything. I hope that Manny Pacquiao can take a punch because he will get hit in this fight.”
Source: boxingscene.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Long training ahead for Pacquiao, Hatton
Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton will be training under similar weather conditions and same time zone as the two punchers will only be 300 miles apart when they enter the critical phase of their respective preparations for their scheduled May 2 brawl in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao will set up camp in the lowlands of Los Angeles in the first week of March, while Hatton will kick off the US chapter of his rigid training six or seven weeks before the fight, according to ace fight scribe Michael Rosenthal of The Ring.
Hatton’s promoter Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) said the British bomber will be based in Las Vegas and defensive whiz Floyd Mayweather Sr. will call the shots during entire training camp period.
Both fighters have promised that they’ll start doing light training even before they head into training proper as they’ll be going on a promotional tour in London and Manchester in the United Kingdom and New York in the last week of February and Los Angeles in America in the first few days of March.
Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz said the Filipino pound-for-pound king will be busy as a bee in the days leading to his departure for the promo tour.
"Manny’s going to have the baptismal of his daughter (Queen Elizabeth) on Feb. 22 here in General Santos," Koncz said.
Four days before that, Pacquiao will be conferred an honorary doctorate degree by Southwestern University in Cebu and on Feb 20, he will likely grace the awards night of the Philippine Sportswriters Association at the Manila Pavilion.
There’s going to be a slight delay in Pacquiao’s arrival at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood owing to the schedule of the tour, according to Arum, but he is not bothered by it.
"It’s just a few days," said Arum, whose outfit is staging the scheduled 12-round super-lightweight match in partnership with GBP.
Pacquiao is in Manila attending to some personal matters, according to Koncz.
Source: mb.com.ph
Pacquiao will set up camp in the lowlands of Los Angeles in the first week of March, while Hatton will kick off the US chapter of his rigid training six or seven weeks before the fight, according to ace fight scribe Michael Rosenthal of The Ring.
Hatton’s promoter Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) said the British bomber will be based in Las Vegas and defensive whiz Floyd Mayweather Sr. will call the shots during entire training camp period.
Both fighters have promised that they’ll start doing light training even before they head into training proper as they’ll be going on a promotional tour in London and Manchester in the United Kingdom and New York in the last week of February and Los Angeles in America in the first few days of March.
Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz said the Filipino pound-for-pound king will be busy as a bee in the days leading to his departure for the promo tour.
"Manny’s going to have the baptismal of his daughter (Queen Elizabeth) on Feb. 22 here in General Santos," Koncz said.
Four days before that, Pacquiao will be conferred an honorary doctorate degree by Southwestern University in Cebu and on Feb 20, he will likely grace the awards night of the Philippine Sportswriters Association at the Manila Pavilion.
There’s going to be a slight delay in Pacquiao’s arrival at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood owing to the schedule of the tour, according to Arum, but he is not bothered by it.
"It’s just a few days," said Arum, whose outfit is staging the scheduled 12-round super-lightweight match in partnership with GBP.
Pacquiao is in Manila attending to some personal matters, according to Koncz.
Source: mb.com.ph
Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton is set for May 2 in Las Vegas
Golden Boy Promotions formally announced the date that many suspected all along: Manny Paquiao will fight Ricky Hatton, for Hatton's junior welterweight title, on May 2, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"We are very excited that this fight has been made, as it is the fight fans wanted and the one I look forward to seeing myself," said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. "This fight has all the makings of a "Fight of the Year" candidate and I think Hatton will de-throne Pacquiao and become boxing's pound-for-pound king."
Interesting that Oscar is picking Hatton. I wonder why?
"I always like new challenges which is the reason I am anxious to fight Ricky Hatton," said Pacquiao. "My trainer Freddie Roach will put together a new game plan which will be much different than the one we used against Oscar (De la Hoya). There are concerns because Hatton is a very strong puncher so I must deal with that in the ring. I promise I will be completely prepared and will do my best for all of my fans in The Philippines."
Here is the release:
LAS VEGAS, (January 28, 2009) - Two of boxing's biggest stars will meet in the ring in what could be the year's biggest pay-per-view event. Five-division world champion MANNY "Pac Man" PACQUIAO and Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight champion RICKY "The Hitman" HATTON will fight for Hatton's World Junior Welterweight Championships Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao and Hatton boast a combined record of 93-4-2 (68 KOs), a winning percentage of 94% and a victory by knockout ratio of 73%.
Pacquiao vs. Hatton, a 12-round bout for Hatton's Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight titles, is promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions in association with MP Promotions and Hatton Promotions.
Tickets priced at $1000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, go on sale Friday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Source: newsday.com
"We are very excited that this fight has been made, as it is the fight fans wanted and the one I look forward to seeing myself," said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. "This fight has all the makings of a "Fight of the Year" candidate and I think Hatton will de-throne Pacquiao and become boxing's pound-for-pound king."
Interesting that Oscar is picking Hatton. I wonder why?
"I always like new challenges which is the reason I am anxious to fight Ricky Hatton," said Pacquiao. "My trainer Freddie Roach will put together a new game plan which will be much different than the one we used against Oscar (De la Hoya). There are concerns because Hatton is a very strong puncher so I must deal with that in the ring. I promise I will be completely prepared and will do my best for all of my fans in The Philippines."
Here is the release:
LAS VEGAS, (January 28, 2009) - Two of boxing's biggest stars will meet in the ring in what could be the year's biggest pay-per-view event. Five-division world champion MANNY "Pac Man" PACQUIAO and Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight champion RICKY "The Hitman" HATTON will fight for Hatton's World Junior Welterweight Championships Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao and Hatton boast a combined record of 93-4-2 (68 KOs), a winning percentage of 94% and a victory by knockout ratio of 73%.
Pacquiao vs. Hatton, a 12-round bout for Hatton's Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight titles, is promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions in association with MP Promotions and Hatton Promotions.
Tickets priced at $1000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, go on sale Friday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Source: newsday.com
Hatton will praise Pacquiao skill not respond to Filipino fighter's jibe
Manny Pacquiao's assertion that Ricky Hatton is "one-dimensional" has got the juices flowing on the eve of Hatton's first public comments on the great Filipino fighter. The debate is raging after Manny wasted no time in throwing the first verbal jab out into the ether. From experience, it should be a different story from 'the little lad from a Manchester council estate' as Hatton has often self-deprecatingly referred to himself, before mocking his father's height and revealing the fear of God his own mother puts into him at home. As a sit-com, The Osbournes and the Hattons are equally entertaining.
When Hatton sits in front of the media in Manchester tomorrow, the drill will be no different. He'll crack a few jokes, probably look as if he needs to shed 10 to 12 pounds, and will be nothing other than magnanimous in giving his time to all those who make the journey to see him.
Pacman is already getting his punches in before the first bell. Along with Freddie Roach, who over four months out from the fight, is already predicting that his charge will knock Ricky out in the ninth round.
Hatton is far from "one-dimensional", and Pacquiao knows this. The fight will take place at a furious pace, but the shapes and shadows from distance make it look as if Pacquiao will have the movement advantage, as long as he stays away from being trapped on the ropes by Hatton. Worth remembering it was a very wary Pacquiao in the first five minutes of the fight against Oscar De La Hoya. It was not until Pacquiao realised into the second and third rounds, that De La Hoya was slow and his timing was gone, that he utilised great movement to punish the Mexican/American like a punchpag.
There have been arguments that Hatton may be shot as a fighter. That looks unlikely after his last outing, though Malignaggi is a light puncher.
Hatton has power, and hurtful power at 140lbs, a weight he has been at for over a decade and possesses skilful punches in the close exchanges, and is also skilled at hit and hold. I don't agree that Hatton, as one or two commentators, have remarked, is similar to David Diaz, or Juan Manuel Marquez.
Hatton, though, I understand, will be pushed even harder in his fitness regime and movement skill by Floyd Mayweather Sr for this fight. It appears that Hatton will train in two locations in America, under Mayweather, who had Hatton's conditioning spot on for his last fight. Hatton said afterwards that he couldn't believe how fresh he felt after ten rounds against Malignaggi.
Should be good to see Hatton tomorrow. All I'm expecting to be hearing from him is that he is delighted to be facing Pacman, and I'm sure Hatton will give a detailed breakdown of Pacman's skills in the ring. He is also sure to say that he will be leaving it all in the ring when they meet, given that it will be the second time in 18 months that he has had the opportunity to fight the man widely-regarded as the best pound for pound fighter in the world at present. Will he throw any verbal punches, or asides, at Manny Pacquiao. ? I doubt it, somehow. Not Hatton's style. He'll leave his venom for the ring.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
When Hatton sits in front of the media in Manchester tomorrow, the drill will be no different. He'll crack a few jokes, probably look as if he needs to shed 10 to 12 pounds, and will be nothing other than magnanimous in giving his time to all those who make the journey to see him.
Pacman is already getting his punches in before the first bell. Along with Freddie Roach, who over four months out from the fight, is already predicting that his charge will knock Ricky out in the ninth round.
Hatton is far from "one-dimensional", and Pacquiao knows this. The fight will take place at a furious pace, but the shapes and shadows from distance make it look as if Pacquiao will have the movement advantage, as long as he stays away from being trapped on the ropes by Hatton. Worth remembering it was a very wary Pacquiao in the first five minutes of the fight against Oscar De La Hoya. It was not until Pacquiao realised into the second and third rounds, that De La Hoya was slow and his timing was gone, that he utilised great movement to punish the Mexican/American like a punchpag.
There have been arguments that Hatton may be shot as a fighter. That looks unlikely after his last outing, though Malignaggi is a light puncher.
Hatton has power, and hurtful power at 140lbs, a weight he has been at for over a decade and possesses skilful punches in the close exchanges, and is also skilled at hit and hold. I don't agree that Hatton, as one or two commentators, have remarked, is similar to David Diaz, or Juan Manuel Marquez.
Hatton, though, I understand, will be pushed even harder in his fitness regime and movement skill by Floyd Mayweather Sr for this fight. It appears that Hatton will train in two locations in America, under Mayweather, who had Hatton's conditioning spot on for his last fight. Hatton said afterwards that he couldn't believe how fresh he felt after ten rounds against Malignaggi.
Should be good to see Hatton tomorrow. All I'm expecting to be hearing from him is that he is delighted to be facing Pacman, and I'm sure Hatton will give a detailed breakdown of Pacman's skills in the ring. He is also sure to say that he will be leaving it all in the ring when they meet, given that it will be the second time in 18 months that he has had the opportunity to fight the man widely-regarded as the best pound for pound fighter in the world at present. Will he throw any verbal punches, or asides, at Manny Pacquiao. ? I doubt it, somehow. Not Hatton's style. He'll leave his venom for the ring.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Boxing experts favor Pacquiao over Hatton
Two boxing analysts believe Manny Pacquiao has enough in his arsenal to bring down Ricky Hatton in their May 2 superfight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s Top Rank coordinator, and Matchroom Sports Ltd. Managing director Eddie Hearn said in a 24 Oras report that they chose Pacquiao based on the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion’s skills.
Koncz said Pacquiao’s speed would again be a factor in the match.
"Manny’s hand speed is faster than Hatton, but more importantly, Manny’s ring presence is better. Hatton is a one-dimensional fighter, and he is going to come straight forward. And Manny is maturing as a boxer," Koncz said.
Hearn, meanwhile, believes Pacquiao will try to tire International Boxing Organization (IBO) welterweight title holder Hatton.
"Hatton will come forward, come forward, and Manny will pick him off and soak him up. (By) eight, nine, 10 rounds when Ricky is tired that is when Manny’s strength really comes through," Hearn said. "That is when he’ll push him on the back ropes and I’m not sure Ricky will going to take more."
Hearn expects an exciting match between the two fighters.
"Both fighters have huge hearts, huge courage, and huge talent," he said. "They will both come forward and be aggressive. Both fighters will never give in."
With the fight still three months away, Pacquiao is savoring his time with his family and friends before plunging into another eight weeks of hard training to prepare for his megabout against Hatton.
Pacquiao is expected to begin training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Las Vegas in March.
Source: gmanews.tv
Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s Top Rank coordinator, and Matchroom Sports Ltd. Managing director Eddie Hearn said in a 24 Oras report that they chose Pacquiao based on the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion’s skills.
Koncz said Pacquiao’s speed would again be a factor in the match.
"Manny’s hand speed is faster than Hatton, but more importantly, Manny’s ring presence is better. Hatton is a one-dimensional fighter, and he is going to come straight forward. And Manny is maturing as a boxer," Koncz said.
Hearn, meanwhile, believes Pacquiao will try to tire International Boxing Organization (IBO) welterweight title holder Hatton.
"Hatton will come forward, come forward, and Manny will pick him off and soak him up. (By) eight, nine, 10 rounds when Ricky is tired that is when Manny’s strength really comes through," Hearn said. "That is when he’ll push him on the back ropes and I’m not sure Ricky will going to take more."
Hearn expects an exciting match between the two fighters.
"Both fighters have huge hearts, huge courage, and huge talent," he said. "They will both come forward and be aggressive. Both fighters will never give in."
With the fight still three months away, Pacquiao is savoring his time with his family and friends before plunging into another eight weeks of hard training to prepare for his megabout against Hatton.
Pacquiao is expected to begin training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Las Vegas in March.
Source: gmanews.tv
Now That The Fight Is On For Good, Pacquiao Throws Out The First Insult - Calls Hatton "One-Dimensional"
Fight fans the world over went through a nail-biting time just recently, what with the much looked forward to Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight looking like it might not happen after all due to the much publicised purse arguments. But now, thankfully, it seems we can all rest easy and look ahead to the potential super-fight, back on as it is for its original May 2nd date..
Perceived favourite in the bout and reigning pound-for-pound king Pacquiao has wasted no time whatsoever in launching his first pre-fight verbal attack - referring in a Manila Bulletin article to Hatton as being a "one-dimensional" fighter, and one "who comes right straight at you.". Of course, this is not the first time this type of accusation has been levelled at "The Hitman," and "Pac-Man" will not be the last boxer to say it. But for anyone who was paying attention in Hatton's last fight, when he took care of the speedy (albeit not too hard hitting) Paulie Malignaggi, it was clear Hatton is no such thing. Once again, the 30-year-old Manchester man proved it is hazardous for anyone to underestimate his boxing skills.
Hatton is a fighter who enjoys coming forward and making a real fight of it, yes, but he is far from a limited slugger. Ricky is adept at cutting the ring off on his foe, making him fight his kind of inside fight, and he knows how to pace himself better than ever now. If the Filipino - who is without question the best fighter Hatton will have faced this side of the retired Floyd Mayweather Junior - really believes what he's been saying, he could be in for a nasty shock.
The southpaw's famous trainer, Freddie Roach, also stated how he feels Hatton's style of fighting is a straight ahead one, and that this will suit his fighter well - but he also added how tough a rival Hatton will be on May 2nd.
"His [Hatton] style of coming forward each time is just perfect for Manny," Roach said, before adding that, "Hatton's a very good body puncher and is very dangerous. Hatton likes to go to the body and the key for Manny is his [own] footwork. Manny should stay away from the ropes when he fights Hatton."
Without a doubt, Pacquiao will be looking to dictate the pace of the fight and keep the action in the middle of the ring while avoid being trapped on the ropes. But will the naturally smaller man be able to do so? Sure, Pacquiao looked great a weight class higher than the one he will be fighting in in May, when he shocked Oscar De La Hoya at 147. But when we consider how weight-weakened Oscar was back in December, the question of whether or not Manny has faced a real test in the form of a bigger man has to be asked.
Hatton, as fiercely strong as he is at 140-pounds, might just prove to be the boss when it comes to physical strength when the two superstars meet.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Perceived favourite in the bout and reigning pound-for-pound king Pacquiao has wasted no time whatsoever in launching his first pre-fight verbal attack - referring in a Manila Bulletin article to Hatton as being a "one-dimensional" fighter, and one "who comes right straight at you.". Of course, this is not the first time this type of accusation has been levelled at "The Hitman," and "Pac-Man" will not be the last boxer to say it. But for anyone who was paying attention in Hatton's last fight, when he took care of the speedy (albeit not too hard hitting) Paulie Malignaggi, it was clear Hatton is no such thing. Once again, the 30-year-old Manchester man proved it is hazardous for anyone to underestimate his boxing skills.
Hatton is a fighter who enjoys coming forward and making a real fight of it, yes, but he is far from a limited slugger. Ricky is adept at cutting the ring off on his foe, making him fight his kind of inside fight, and he knows how to pace himself better than ever now. If the Filipino - who is without question the best fighter Hatton will have faced this side of the retired Floyd Mayweather Junior - really believes what he's been saying, he could be in for a nasty shock.
The southpaw's famous trainer, Freddie Roach, also stated how he feels Hatton's style of fighting is a straight ahead one, and that this will suit his fighter well - but he also added how tough a rival Hatton will be on May 2nd.
"His [Hatton] style of coming forward each time is just perfect for Manny," Roach said, before adding that, "Hatton's a very good body puncher and is very dangerous. Hatton likes to go to the body and the key for Manny is his [own] footwork. Manny should stay away from the ropes when he fights Hatton."
Without a doubt, Pacquiao will be looking to dictate the pace of the fight and keep the action in the middle of the ring while avoid being trapped on the ropes. But will the naturally smaller man be able to do so? Sure, Pacquiao looked great a weight class higher than the one he will be fighting in in May, when he shocked Oscar De La Hoya at 147. But when we consider how weight-weakened Oscar was back in December, the question of whether or not Manny has faced a real test in the form of a bigger man has to be asked.
Hatton, as fiercely strong as he is at 140-pounds, might just prove to be the boss when it comes to physical strength when the two superstars meet.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Hatton is Very Pleased at The Pacquiao Fight Being On
Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton is “very pleased” the fight against Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is on and will sign the contract on Tuesday or Wednesday.
That’s the word from Hatton’s father Ray Hatton in a telephone conversation with insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports early Tuesday morning.
Hatton said “Ricky wants to fight Manny and Manny wants to fight Ricky” but when the two sides kept going back and forth over the issue of a guaranteed purse and a revenue sharing deal which Pacquiao wanted, the IBO junior welterweight champion took his mind off the fight during his entertainment tour.
Ray Hatton said the contract arrived on Monday but that lawyer Gareth Williams was on his way back to Manchester from London and “will look at it (the contract) and then Ricky will sign it probably on Tuesday or Wednesday when he’s back in town.” Hatton is currently in Plymouth.
He said a formal announcement that the fight is on will probably be made on Thursday or Friday this week.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us that “everything is in place now” even as he disclosed that the planned promotional tour in London and Manchester, the hometown of Hatton will take place “at the end of February before he (Pacquiao” goes into training camp” set for March 1 at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.
Arum said he was coming to Manila for a press conference regarding the blockbuster championship double-header he is staging at the Araneta Coliseum on March 15 in cooperation with Solar Sports but wasn’t sure of the exact date.
Hatton earlier said there’s hardly any time to fit the planned promotional tour kickoff as originally planned for January 27th in London and the 28th because of the delay in having the contract finalized.
Ray Hatton said they “go on holiday on January 30 and return in the middle of February.” We learned that there was a possibility that Pacquiao may travel to England once Hatton returns from his holiday in the middle of February which was confirmed by Arum who also told us that they planned to squeeze in US tour stops in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles before the hard training grind gets underway.
Ray Hatton recalled that Pacquiao and his family had wanted to look around London and the promotional stop would have given them a chance to do that.
Hatton himself disclosed that Ricky will “go into the gym on February 16 or 17 and will fly to Las Vegas after two weeks of training in Britain. He said Hatton would train under Floyd Mayweather Sr in Las Vegas and would surely benefit from it.
Source: boxingscene.com
That’s the word from Hatton’s father Ray Hatton in a telephone conversation with insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports early Tuesday morning.
Hatton said “Ricky wants to fight Manny and Manny wants to fight Ricky” but when the two sides kept going back and forth over the issue of a guaranteed purse and a revenue sharing deal which Pacquiao wanted, the IBO junior welterweight champion took his mind off the fight during his entertainment tour.
Ray Hatton said the contract arrived on Monday but that lawyer Gareth Williams was on his way back to Manchester from London and “will look at it (the contract) and then Ricky will sign it probably on Tuesday or Wednesday when he’s back in town.” Hatton is currently in Plymouth.
He said a formal announcement that the fight is on will probably be made on Thursday or Friday this week.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us that “everything is in place now” even as he disclosed that the planned promotional tour in London and Manchester, the hometown of Hatton will take place “at the end of February before he (Pacquiao” goes into training camp” set for March 1 at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.
Arum said he was coming to Manila for a press conference regarding the blockbuster championship double-header he is staging at the Araneta Coliseum on March 15 in cooperation with Solar Sports but wasn’t sure of the exact date.
Hatton earlier said there’s hardly any time to fit the planned promotional tour kickoff as originally planned for January 27th in London and the 28th because of the delay in having the contract finalized.
Ray Hatton said they “go on holiday on January 30 and return in the middle of February.” We learned that there was a possibility that Pacquiao may travel to England once Hatton returns from his holiday in the middle of February which was confirmed by Arum who also told us that they planned to squeeze in US tour stops in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles before the hard training grind gets underway.
Ray Hatton recalled that Pacquiao and his family had wanted to look around London and the promotional stop would have given them a chance to do that.
Hatton himself disclosed that Ricky will “go into the gym on February 16 or 17 and will fly to Las Vegas after two weeks of training in Britain. He said Hatton would train under Floyd Mayweather Sr in Las Vegas and would surely benefit from it.
Source: boxingscene.com
Pacquiao did it for respect, period
MANILA, Philippines—No, it was not a simple case of the deal being sealed over beer.
Definitely not, protested Vice Gov. Manny Piñol of North Cotabato on how the purse tug-of-war between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and British boxer Ricky Hatton was trivialized in the media over the weekend.
“No sir!” Piñol explained in his column for www.philboxing.com.
Was it not true that confidante Wakee Salud only had to accept the dare to gulp down three bottles of beer for Pacquiao to agree?
* * *
“It was not the beer, not even the heart-to-heart talk with his promoter Bob Arum, that made Manny agree to the terms and conditions of his May 2 Las Vegas fight against Hatton,” Piñol said.
What was the real score?
“Manny got what he wanted—RESPECT. The bigger share of the purse is just secondary. These were the real reasons why he signed the contract to fight Hatton. The beer is definitely out of the question,” Piñol bared.
* * *
Piñol went on to emphasize the nobility behind Pacquiao’s firm stand which, he said, pitifully got drowned in the lighthearted articles written about the purse tug-of-war.
“Pacquiao’s dogged determination to earn the respect of boxing impressarios—called by boxing writer Michael Marley as ‘sharks in suits’—who for so long have acted like demigods, had been overlooked,” Piñol lamented.
He continued: “Well, the days when promoters would run circles around dumb, gullible fighters, sometimes not even showing them the contracts, are gone, maybe forever, thanks to what Manny Pacquiao did.”
* * *
But did Pacquiao do it only for himself?
“More than to get his deserved purse, Manny has redeemed the honor of the Filipino people by teaching them to fight for what is rightfully theirs. Pacquiao stood his ground and did not budge even when he was threatened with a fight cancellation by promoter Bob Arum,” Piñol said.
(Pacquiao had also refused to answer Arum’s repeated phone calls.)
* * *
Anyway, how much did Manny Pacquiao actually get?
“As has been reported in the media, 52 percent of the guaranteed purse, which translates to $12 million, plus the earnings in the pay-per-view. In addition, it was reported that Bob Arum coughed up an additional amount—in the vicinity of $1 million to $1.5 million—just to get Manny to affix his signature on the fight contract.”
* * *
Piñol said that, as could only be expected, some people had accused Pacquiao of being greedy.
“Is it greed when Kobe Bryant negotiates for a better deal with his team’s management, or when Tiger Woods asks for millions of dollars for product endorsements?” Piñol exclaimed.
He answers his own questions.
“They are just getting what is due them because of their talents, skills and popularity.”
* * *
In the case of Manny Pacquiao, he got the amount that he wanted and achieved even more.
Explained Piñol: “By showing stubbornness in the negotiations, by refusing to blink when the ‘sharks’ thought he would, Pacquiao proved to the whole world that the Filipino—often ridiculed in his roles as japayuki, nanny, migrant worker—can’t simply be pushed around.”
* * *
Piñol, who last year hit the Arroyo administration for forsaking the Filipino people by offering vast tracks of ancestral land to rebels, praised Pacquiao for showing the whole world “that in a nation where politicians are accused of selling their people’s interests for a few million pesos, there is a Filipino who could say no to a projected fight earnings of P1 billion simply because it is not fair.”
That is a priceless thought, Piñol concluded, powerful enough to lift the spirits and hopes of the Filipino people.
Source: inquirer.net
Definitely not, protested Vice Gov. Manny Piñol of North Cotabato on how the purse tug-of-war between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and British boxer Ricky Hatton was trivialized in the media over the weekend.
“No sir!” Piñol explained in his column for www.philboxing.com.
Was it not true that confidante Wakee Salud only had to accept the dare to gulp down three bottles of beer for Pacquiao to agree?
* * *
“It was not the beer, not even the heart-to-heart talk with his promoter Bob Arum, that made Manny agree to the terms and conditions of his May 2 Las Vegas fight against Hatton,” Piñol said.
What was the real score?
“Manny got what he wanted—RESPECT. The bigger share of the purse is just secondary. These were the real reasons why he signed the contract to fight Hatton. The beer is definitely out of the question,” Piñol bared.
* * *
Piñol went on to emphasize the nobility behind Pacquiao’s firm stand which, he said, pitifully got drowned in the lighthearted articles written about the purse tug-of-war.
“Pacquiao’s dogged determination to earn the respect of boxing impressarios—called by boxing writer Michael Marley as ‘sharks in suits’—who for so long have acted like demigods, had been overlooked,” Piñol lamented.
He continued: “Well, the days when promoters would run circles around dumb, gullible fighters, sometimes not even showing them the contracts, are gone, maybe forever, thanks to what Manny Pacquiao did.”
* * *
But did Pacquiao do it only for himself?
“More than to get his deserved purse, Manny has redeemed the honor of the Filipino people by teaching them to fight for what is rightfully theirs. Pacquiao stood his ground and did not budge even when he was threatened with a fight cancellation by promoter Bob Arum,” Piñol said.
(Pacquiao had also refused to answer Arum’s repeated phone calls.)
* * *
Anyway, how much did Manny Pacquiao actually get?
“As has been reported in the media, 52 percent of the guaranteed purse, which translates to $12 million, plus the earnings in the pay-per-view. In addition, it was reported that Bob Arum coughed up an additional amount—in the vicinity of $1 million to $1.5 million—just to get Manny to affix his signature on the fight contract.”
* * *
Piñol said that, as could only be expected, some people had accused Pacquiao of being greedy.
“Is it greed when Kobe Bryant negotiates for a better deal with his team’s management, or when Tiger Woods asks for millions of dollars for product endorsements?” Piñol exclaimed.
He answers his own questions.
“They are just getting what is due them because of their talents, skills and popularity.”
* * *
In the case of Manny Pacquiao, he got the amount that he wanted and achieved even more.
Explained Piñol: “By showing stubbornness in the negotiations, by refusing to blink when the ‘sharks’ thought he would, Pacquiao proved to the whole world that the Filipino—often ridiculed in his roles as japayuki, nanny, migrant worker—can’t simply be pushed around.”
* * *
Piñol, who last year hit the Arroyo administration for forsaking the Filipino people by offering vast tracks of ancestral land to rebels, praised Pacquiao for showing the whole world “that in a nation where politicians are accused of selling their people’s interests for a few million pesos, there is a Filipino who could say no to a projected fight earnings of P1 billion simply because it is not fair.”
That is a priceless thought, Piñol concluded, powerful enough to lift the spirits and hopes of the Filipino people.
Source: inquirer.net
Monday, January 26, 2009
Ricky Hatton seals Manny Pacquiao fight deal
Ricky Hatton secured his second shot at becoming the world's best pound-for-pound fighter after his Las Vegas showdown with Manny Pacquiao was confirmed on Monday.
The Mancunian, the world's top light-welterweight, will face pound-for-pound king Pacquiao on May 2, a year and a half after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr at the same MGM Grand venue.
Hatton believes he has the tools to shock Filipino Pacquiao, who confirmed his status as the world's leading fighter with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and Oscar De La Hoya in 2008.
After weeks of protracted negotiations surrounding Pacquiao's increased financial demands, the fight will now go ahead and a press conference will be held on Thursday to officially announce the contest.
Hatton's lawyer Gareth Williams said he was is in possession of the contract, which Hatton would sign as soon as it had been checked.
Williams said Hatton had yet to sign the contract – purely because of logistics with Williams being in London on Monday – but said: "It won't be a problem and we'll announce the fight at a press conference on Thursday. All the pressure is off now."
The deal follows weeks of uncertainty after it emerged Pacquiao wanted to renegotiate financial terms despite having agreed a 50-50 split before Christmas.
Williams said on Thursday that the fight was "dead in the water" for the time being, but admitted the appearance of a signed contract would force them to reconsider.
Yet Pacquiao's promoters Top Rank declared on Friday the fight was back on after Pacquiao agreed late last week to share the proceeds equally with the Mancunian.
Hatton's American promoters, Golden Boy, had begun early negotiations with possible alternative opponents Oscar De La Hoya and Mayweather, but the 'Hitman' has now secured the fight he really wanted after stopping Paulie Malignaggi in November.
Pacquiao, who, like Hatton, is 30, is officially a four-weight world champion having won titles at flyweight, super-bantamweight, super-featherweight and lightweight. But he beat Marco Antonio Barrera at featherweight in 2003 and De La Hoya at welterweight before Christmas in non-title contests which earned him huge respect within the sport.
Hatton's nominal IBO light-welterweight title, as well as the more meaningful but unofficial Ring Magazine belt, will be on the line against Pacquiao.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
