Pacquiao's popularity getting bigger as Hatton fight looms

To understand exactly who Manny Pacquiao is requires deeper inspection than simply calling him the best pound-for-pound fighter today.

While he's the first Filipino athlete to appear on a postage stamp in his country, he's also a virtual lock to win a congressional seat in the Philippines when he runs next year. On Friday, when the next issue of Time magazine hits the stands, Pacquiao is listed as one of the world's 100 most influential athletes.

Saturday, when he meets junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton in the first major pay-per-view bout of the year (HBO PPV, 9 p.m. ET, $49.99), he could solidify his position as the best fighter of his era as he goes for a record fourth lineal world title after becoming the champion at flyweight (112), featherweight (126) and junior lightweight (130). He's also held major belts at junior featherweight (122) and lightweight (135).

"He transcends just an Asian fighter," says boxing historian Bert Sugar. "He's a great fighter."

It's an accomplishment that once seemed unreachable when Pacquiao — who grew up in squalor, living in housing made of cardboard — began his career in 1995 at 106 pounds, even though he won his first world championship three years later.

He didn't appear to be special. He had only four knockouts in his first 11 fights, and he was knocked out twice on singular body shots as a flyweight.


"When I lost before," Pacquiao says, "I lost because I couldn't make my fighting weight. I was too dehydrated."

As he added pounds, Pacquiao morphed into a fighting machine, dubbed the "Mexican Assassin" after toppling the holy trinity of boxing's featherweight and lightweight divisions — Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Barrera was considered the best pound-for-pound fighter, with Morales and Marquez not far behind.

All three are future Hall of Famers, but Pacquiao fought each at least twice, going 5-1-1 and scoring 11 knockdowns. Pacquiao is the only boxer to knock out Barrera and Morales.

Pacquiao also became the first fighter to stop Oscar De La Hoya below the middleweight division. In the highest profile victory of his career in December, Pacquiao battered The Golden Boy into submission after the eighth round.

As a result, he comes into Saturday's bout with Hatton as the favorite, although the Englishman is undefeated at 140 pounds, where he has been champion since 2005.

"The pressure is there and it is big, but I don't want to put that in my mind," says Pacquiao, whose trainer, Freddie Roach, has predicted a third-round knockout. "I don't want to think about that.

"Ricky Hatton is a different kind of fighter than I have ever fought before. The style of Ricky Hatton is not easy. He is a good fighter, and a strong fighter."

It took 34 fights before Pacquiao burst onto the American scene in 2001.

He was a big underdog against Lehlo Ledwaba — a junior featherweight beltholder who was being bred for stardom in the loaded 122- to 126-pound classes— but Pacquiao was too fast and too strong in his first fight under Roach.

Pacquiao, a southpaw who took the fight on just two weeks notice when Ledwaba's original opponent fell out, busted the South African's nose in the first round and finished him with a series of straight lefts in the sixth.

Proving that his victory wasn't a fluke, Pacquiao cleaned out boxing's most competitive division (126) for the past decade, triumphing where Latinos, especially Mexicans, had dominated.

"It's definitely unique. He carries his weight very well," says Shane Mosley, a three-division world champion who climbed from lightweight to junior middle (154). "His power stays around because his legs are big."

Last year alone, Pacquiao won fights in three weight classes. The Marquez win made him the lineal champion at junior lightweight, he won a share of the lightweight crown by knocking out David Diaz three months later, and six months after that he stopped De La Hoya.

Even Hatton can't deny the magnitude of such a feat. "That's incredible, bearing in mind the weight he's fighting at now. It's an absolutely unbelievable achievement," Hatton says. "From where Manny started to where he won his last world title, that is more impressive (than what I've done)."

Plenty of exceptional fighters have risen in weight only to falter. One of the most glaring examples is Alexis Arguello, a classic boxer-puncher who ruled between 126 and 135 pounds from 1974-82. But when Arguello moved up to 140, he lacked the firepower to hold off Aaron Pryor.

More recently, two-division lineal champion Felix Trinidad, the first to defeat De La Hoya in a welterweight unification bout in 1999 and undefeated between 147-154 pounds, rose to 160-170 where his two-fisted power hasn't been nearly as lethal. He's 3-3 there.

As a lightweight, Mosley won all 31 fights and 29 inside the distance for a 94% knockout rate. In the 20 fights he's had since, between 147 and 154 pounds, his KO percentage has fallen to 50.

"It's a little different for Pacquiao. Pacquiao is a little more amazing in that he can still be competitive with all this extra weight. That's remarkable. I kept my power at '47, but at '54 I lost a little bit."

Pacquiao insists that the argument over size or who'll be strongest is overblown. "Boxing is (about) more than hitting," he says. "It is using your mind, and being quick is very important."

Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank Inc., which promotes Pacquiao, expects him to fight once more this year — provided he wins Saturday — and a bout in early 2010 before the fighter campaigns in June for a congressional seat in the Philippines. He recently had dinner with Imelda Marcos, the country's former first lady.

"They hope even if he's elected to Congress that he will continue boxing," Arum says.

SOURCE: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2009-04-29-pacquiao-popularity_N.htm

Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton news conference is a con job

From Las Vegas -- An old wives' tale claims they once held a boxing news conference and there was actual news.

Not Wednesday.

They trotted out Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, opponents for Saturday night's next big deal in the sport. Both acted responsibly, spoke sensibly, brought no new insight to their match, and sat down.

Unless Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins or Floyd Mayweather Jr. are fighting, the lead-up show is never about the boxers and always about the window dressing.

That's the eternal charm. Boxing is the world's only honestly dishonest sport. It is the University of Con Artists, the Academy of the Slick. It is the worm of organized athletics. Cut off a piece of it here, another there, and it still keeps wiggling.

If you are a member of the media, the people who run boxing know that you know. And you know that they know that you know.

College sports, for example, yammers on about building character, when it is mostly building pros. Boxing just builds characters. It looks you right in the eye, tells you it will try to con you, and then proceeds.

Wednesday's extravaganza, in a huge ballroom at the MGM Grand, where the media messengers of this madness flocked in large numbers, included a fashion show, strange bedfellows, comments on international relations, insults and poetry, tugs at the heart strings, and the ever-present slick-selling.

This is geared to getting ink-stained wretches, Internet typists and TV talking heads in tight black dresses to gobble up the inanities of the day and dispense them to the public so the public will buy pay-per-view packages at $49.95. That's the message. The only one.

Delivering it was a long row of men on a dais, their fashion statements running from three-piece suits to sport coat and T-shirts to wind breakers and sweat suits. Pacquiao wore white shoes, pants and sport coat with a black tam. Hatton, who referred to himself as a fat, beer-drinking Englishman, wore a T-shirt and a black floppy hat.

The master-of-ceremonies duty was jointly handled by Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya. Arum once promoted De La Hoya. Then De La Hoya went out on his own. Along the way, they have called each other every name in the book -- to be fair, Arum more than De La Hoya -- and have kept several law firms in business. Now, it's all smiles and pats on the back.

Arum, who never met a fight he couldn't spin into a tale of monumental significance, said that this fight would be a success even though, with Pacquiao from the Philippines and Hatton from England, there is no U.S. angle.

"Americans are not xenophobic," Arum proclaimed.

One wonders how that quote will play in France.

Eventually, because it apparently wasn't preventable, Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., was called to the microphone. He, like Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, is a former boxer. Each has accepted more than his share of blows to the head over the years, but only Roach admits that.

From the start of this promotion, months ago, they have been verbally battling. Mayweather Sr. likes to call Roach "the joke coach," and Roach likes to remind Mayweather Sr. that he got a head start on Mayweather in training careers because Mayweather was in prison for selling drugs.

What is beyond the borders of good taste elsewhere is standard fare in boxing.

This time, Mayweather Sr. tried some poetry.

"Pac-man, it's over. So stop wishing on that four-leaf clover."

"Ain't no secret. I hope you know. It's Hit Man Hatton by KO."

SOURCE: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-pacquiao30-2009apr30,1,515202.column

Pacquiao vs Hatton HBO 24/7 Episode 3

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EA Preview: Hatton Vs. Pacquiao

EA simulation of the Ricky Hatton vs Manny Pacquiao title fight

Tyson says Pacman has edge, will win

HOLLYWOOD – Mike Tyson is letting it known early. He’s putting his money on Manny Pacquiao.

“Pacquiao will win,” was Tyson’s direct answer to Michael Marley’s question on who’d win on May 2 in Las Vegas where Pacquiao, boxing’s biggest draw today, faces Ricky Hatton at the MGMA Grand.

Tyson, the ex-heavyweight champ and once considered as the baddest man on the planet, is not hiding his penchant for Pacquiao whom he watched train for the big fight against Oscar dela Hoya last December.

Tyson came to the IBA Gym as Pacquiao wrapped up his training, shared a few pointers with trainers Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez, and walked away with a couple of ringside tickets for him and a friend.

He said Hatton, the pride of Manchester, may find no answer to Pacquiao.

“I like Ricky Hatton but he is just not elusive enough to handle Manny’s pressure attack. With Manny, it’s something like I used to be. With Manny, the punches come in bunches,” he told The Examiner.

Hatton, of course, disagrees.

“I’m in a perfect place 10 days away from the fight,” Hatton told The Sweet Science in a tele-conference, adding that in sparring, his partners have perfectly cloned Pacquiao.

“I don’t think he’s fought anyone as fierce, ferocious as rough, big and strong as me. I’m an absolute handful. I’ve never been more sure, more confident,” said the reigning IBO junior welterweight champion.

“I think Pacquiao is underestimating me, if that’s their opinion, don’t expect me to show enthusiasm. Brilliant, bring it on. Just because Arum said it, don’t expect me to (crap) myself. I think (Bob) Arum is clutching at straws, he’s probably hoping I struggle with southpaws.”

Hatton will go out to prove a lot of people wrong.

SOURCE: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=461402&publicationSubCategoryId=69

Manny Pacquiao to feel Ricky Hatton's 'Art of War' in Las Vegas

Eleven days and counting before Ricky Hatton has the opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the highest achievers from British shores in a boxing ring.

Manny Pacquiao, Filipino idol, enthroned as pound for pound No 1 in most observers lists, after an extraordinary year in 2008, stands in front of him.
"I'm in an ideal place," insisted Ricky Hatton from the IBA gym in Las Vegas. One more sparring session today, and a quiet week before the media cavalcade descends on The Strip, and the MGM Grand is transformed into a symposium for boxing fans and writers for six days.

"I've had an 11-week training camp, and I could not get any sharper. All I need now is a short rest just to get it all back. I've had the best sparring partners, and my timing, sharpness, weight...everything....is right. I'm in the perfect place."

"Tactically, I think I know what he will be up to. He throws one/two, shuffles in with his feet, he could cause you problems but if you get adjusted, fine. I don't see a versatile fighter [in Manny Pacquiao]. Four or five fights ago I was easy to read, but not now."
Hatton has instilled a self-belief based on fierce aggression - and a style and size he believes Pacquiao will not have encountered in his 14-year career.

"I don't think Manny has fought anyone as fiery, ferocious, rough," said the Mancunian folk hero. "Ricky Hatton is a handful for anyone and is all over you...there is no doubt in my mind. I've never been more certain, more confident. I'm stronger than him, rarely do I have a height advantage, although it is minute, and I have a huge strength and power advantage."

While critics will no doubt insist, if he does triumph, that Hatton does not automatically move to the No 1 pound for pound position, the British light-welterweight who has been the dominant fighter in the world's 140lb division for four years, knows in his own mind that a goal he set himself long ago will be chalked up on his 'to-do' list as accomplished.

"I hope to claim the number 1 pound for pound spot," said Hatton. "Manny has beaten Juan Manuel Marquez, the pound for pound number 2, twice. If I beat Manny Pacquiao, I believe I should go to the top pound for pound spot in the world. If I do what I do best, I will have too much in every area for Manny. I could not be more positive about the outcome of this fight."

According to Hatton, this will be no drawn-out affair. "I don't see it being a distance fight. Manny goes for the KO, I go for the KO. I expect it to be very explosive than a drawn out affair. Manny is not the most elusive and he will probably say the same about me. Anyone who engages in a fight, like Manny, brings dangers for me, but I believe he will come second best."

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/5198634/Manny-Pacquiao-to-feel-Ricky-Hattons-Art-of-War-in-Las-Vegas.html

Hatton Pacquiao sell out inevitable in fan fight of the year

No surprise that 'The Battle of East and West', the super-fight between Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao and Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas has officially sold out. No surprise either that 50,000 closed circuit tickets are being made available at the Mandalay Bay, Mirage, TI, Monte Carlo, Circus Circus, Luxor and New York-New York.

"Given that the live gate for this event is sold out, coupled with the sellout of tonight's San Francisco Giants baseball game where Manny is the guest of honor, indicates to me that 'The Battle of East and West' is on track to break all existing pay-per-view records," said Bob Arum, Chairman of Top Rank.

Tickets for the closed circuit telecast will be priced at $50, not including handling fees. All seats are general admission and are now on sale at each individual property's box office outlets. Ticket sales are limited to eight per person.

It is hard to imagine that numbers will reach the 30,000 Hatton fans who travelled out to see the light-welterweight fight Floyd Mayweather Jnr in December 2007. At present, estimates range between 10,000 and 15,000 fans travelling. Many will be watching back home on Sky Box Office. When Hatton fought Mayweather, it broke all records as having the most buys ever on pay per view in the UK, reaching the 1.2 million mark. It will be interesting to see whether promoter Bob Arum is correct in his prediction.

SOURCE: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/gareth_a._davies/blog/2009/04/22/hatton_pacquiao_sell_out_inevitable_in_fan_fight_of_the_year__

Pacquiao vs Hatton HBO 24/7 Episode 2

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Manny of the people - Pacquiao's popularity puts even Hatton in the shade

Ricky Hatton will take an army of thousands out to Las Vegas again in the first week of May. But even he struggles to keep up with Manny Pacquiao in the popularity stakes.

Pac Man is already fortunate enough to be viewed, by most, as the best boxer in the world right now, although Juan Manuel Marquez and the rumoured-to-be-returning Floyd Mayweather Jnr might dispute that.

But at home in the Philippines, there is no argument. Pacquiao reigns supreme.

A national icon, he has made films, had a number one hit and is planning a career in politics once he has retired.

There seems every chance he will end up running the country, certainly if emergency elections were held tomorrow, Pacquiao would have a victory to savour long before the MGM Grand on May 2.

Hatton might be able to clear a small corner of Greater Manchester when he heads to Vegas. He will fill a few Hyde watering holes up when he is beamed back live on Sky Box Office and will take thousands across the Atlantic again.

He is, as CEO Richard Schaeffer admits, Golden Boy's box office blockbuster and even the notoriously unyielding American fight fans have taken him to their heart.

But Manny Pacquiao is a man that brings an entire nation to a standstill when he steps in the ring.

Accessible

The streets of Manila, his hometown of General Santos City, the whole country will stop what it's doing. In fact that's not true, because everyone will have long planned be doing one thing - watching Pacquiao.

Even the criminal fraternity take time off. And in a country where a television, never mind pay-per-view, is not accessible to everyone, that often means a trip to the cinema.

Pacquiao's fights - which fall at around sunrise back home - are big, big business. So big that TV companies can name their price on air time during round breaks - and do. So big that after the first round, those commercials will run into minutes, not just the 60 seconds between bells.

And that in turn, sends a nation scurrying to big screens. The closed-circuit screenings carry no ads so in the Philippines, if you want to see the Pacquiao fight finish first, you pack the picture houses out.

The Pacquiao phenomenon is something even promoter Bob Arum struggles to come to terms with fully.

Implications

"This certainly has elements unlike any of the big fights I've promoted," he says of the Hatton fight.

"For example, I've done Hagler-Leonard, Hagler-Hearns, George Foreman fights, Oscar de la Hoya fights. But they've never had these implications because they've never been as popular as these two are in their own country."

"Yes we can!" continues Arum on the prospect of Pacquiao running for government, enthusiastically echoing the most high-profile politician to unite a nation.

The fighter himself reigns in the campaign manager-in-waiting, suggesting it will be another 10 years before he is ready to swap speedball for ballot box.

Until then, Pacquiao will do what he has done for the 10 years he has been a world champion. Represent his nation, fight for the people that follow his every move.

You only had to see him turn up in Manchester, Hatton's home, and be mobbed to realise his popularity.

It was the same again in Vegas when ex-pat Filipinos were on hand to greet their greatest export as he broke free from training to attend a red-carpet launch.

Freddie Roach was there too, by his man's side as always. He has experienced the Philippines phenomenon, from both sides. He has also seen the draw Pacquiao has with his people: although the Wild Card Gym is their training base from here on in, Pacquiao oftens starts his preparations training back home.

Representing

It has even caused rifts between the pair, Roach insisting the fighter is in Hollywood for the full duration of camp, focussed and firing and away from all the distractions that come from being the most famous face in your country.

Roach won that battle because Pacquiao knows what he means to his people. He knows when he beats Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Oscar de la Hoya, a nation celebrates.

He knows that being regarded as the best boxer on the planet makes sure the Philippines is mentioned in some despatches at least.

"I'm representing my country and I'm a very dedicated person," he says.

"All my fights are dedicated to the honour of the people of my country. And especially to people who love boxing."

For Pacquiao the Phllippines comes first. But for now at least, boxing is a very close second in the polls.

SOURCE: http://www.skysports.com/hatton/story/0,25890,13305_5145405,00.html

HBO's Pacquiao, Hatton, 24/7 specials lead up to fight May 2, PPV

Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao go head to head in a sport whose viewership and fans have been eaten away by MMA and UFC fights.

HBO is hoping that the huge popularity of both boxers, Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Manchester hero Ricky Hatton, will ramp up with their Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 preview series, the lead up to fight night on May 2.

Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 is a four-part series that will extensively chronicle the respective training of Filipino pound for pound king Pacquiao and Ricky "the hitman" Hatton for their May 2 pay-per-view fight in Las Vegas.

According to HBO senior vice president of sports operations Mark Taffet, HBO looks at Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 as a tool to draw 18-to 49-year-old males to a sport whose median viewing age skews over 35.

“The goal of 24/7 is not only to provide an all access look at the sport's biggest events, but also to reach out to the next generation of boxing fans and to engage them with a compelling program which speaks their language," Taffet said in an article posted at HBO.com.

Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 is the fifth installment of the acclaimed HBO sports series, which debuted in 2006 in the leadup to the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather, Jr. megafight.

HBO is promoting a sweepstakes for a free trip to Las Vegas for the three days leading up to the fight. The sweepstakes runs from March 30 through April 22 on HBO.com.

A daily video journal will be posted on Facebook and HBO's YouTube site, according to Taffet. The winner also can have his or her photo on HBO.com.
Episode #2: The new influence of assistant trainer and former heavyweight champ Michael Moorer becomes more apparent in Manny Pacquiao’s Los Angeles training camp. Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton continues to train in Las Vegas and spends a relaxing night with friends downtown.

Debut date: Saturday, April 18 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: April 18 (12:05 a.m.), 19 (10:30 a.m., 11:30 p.m.), 20 (7:30 p.m., 12:30 a.m.), 22 (10:00 a.m., midnight), 23 (10:30 p.m.), 24 (12:05 a.m.) and 25 (10:30 a.m.), and May 1 (8:30 p.m.) and 2 (3:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 21 (11:00 a.m., 11:30 p.m.) and 24 (8:30 p.m.), and May 1 (1:00 a.m.) and 2 (10:30 a.m.)

HBO On Demand availability begins: April 21
On Saturday, May 2 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents “Pacquiao vs. Hatton,” live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

SOURCE: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1470621.php/HBOs__Pacquiao_Hatton_24_7_specials_lead_up_to_fight_May_2_PPV

Pacquiao: KO not my game plan

MANILA, Philippines - Don't expect Manny Pacquiao to win by knockout over Ricky Hatton in their May 2 showdown in Las Vegas for the Briton’s WBO light welterweight title.

No, the pound-for-pound king has not lost his killer instinct. He just wants to concentrate on the fight and exploit Hatton’s weaknesses, which the Filipino said are aplenty.

“I expect him to be coming forward and fight toe-to-toe, and I like that,” Pacquiao told www.mirror.co.uk. “I’m not looking for a knockout.”

“I don’t want any distractions in my mind,” the Filipino superstar added.

Pacquiao expects Hatton to “walk into his shots because of his aggressive, come-forward style.

“We see a lot of weakness in Hatton,” Pacquiao claimed.

Hatton, in a conference call with reporters as reported by www.fighthype.com, points to two key factors for the fight: Technical skills and the fighter who goes backwards.

“Both of us don’t go backwards and that is the key to the fight,” Hatton said. “Whoever ends up going backwards is going to lose.”

He does fight toe-to-toe, Hatton said, but he also punches hard and has more technical know-how than the four-division champion.

“I’m showing technical ability that he didn’t think I had at first,” Hatton claimed. “That’s going to shock Manny more than the size and power aspect.”

Hatton credits Floyd Mayweather Sr., who replaced his long-time trainer Billy Graham, for his new strength.

“Floyd has given me a new lease on life,” said Hatton, adding that his win over Paulie Malignaggi last November showed his vast improvement under his new trainer.

“I proved in my last fight that I have a much better jab, a stronger punch and speed, too.”

SOURCE: http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20090412-198969/Pacquiao-KO-not-my-game-plan

'New Hatton' boasts of quickness, power

MANILA, Philippines - If you think Manny Pacquiao is fast, wait till you see Ricky Hatton.

The new Ricky Hatton.

In the first episode of HBO’s Pacquiao vs. Hatton 24/7, a four-part, four-week series that gave the cable giant all the access it needed to cover the training of the two boxers, Hatton has displayed quickness never seen from him before.

Under the guidance of his new trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Hatton believes that the only way to beat Pacquiao is to match his speed. According to British superstar, no one, not even Pacquiao, can match his power at 140 lbs.

“It was a case of, after seven weeks in training camp, ‘bang, look at me, a new fighter,’” Hatton said in a Times Online article that came out yesterday.

“It has been miles better this time with Floyd,” added Hatton, in the last three weeks of training at the IBA Gym in Las Vegas, the same gym Pacquiao uses when he’s there.

“The more time you spend with him, you get used to him. I’m faster now than how I was at the end of the last training camp,” said Hatton, in his second fight under Mayweather.

The Times Online article added that Hatton, under Mayweather, has given a little on strengthening (which he’d always done under Billy Graham), and has focused on “speed and sharpness.”

The HBO series, which came off the racks the other day, showed Hatton in training, trying to develop and hone his speed.

But Pacquiao doesn’t believe that 10, 12 or 13 weeks of training under Mayweather can change or make Hatton a new fighter.

“Sa tingin ko ‘yun pa din ‘yung Hatton na makakalaban ko (I think it’s the same Hatton I’d be up against),” said Pacquiao in recent interviews.

And that’s the Hatton he knows, always there in front of you, moving in, trying to wrestle his opponent. The British superstar is notorious for holding and hitting, and may work like an octopus.

“Hindi naman nila mababago ang style nila ganoon kabilis (They can’t change their style overnight),” said Pacquiao, still confident that come May 2, at the MGM Grand, Hatton will always be one step behind.

SOURCE: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=457431&publicationSubCategoryId=69

Pacquiao vs Hatton HBO 24/7 Episode 1

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New things in Pacquiao’s fight: Mom on hand, male artist to sing anthem

MANILA, Philippines – A couple of new things – some say a break in tradition – will happen when Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring to tangle with Ricky Hatton on May 2.

First, Pacquiao mother, Dionisia is coming to Las Vegas for the very first time since the pound for pound superstar first fought in the US. But Showbiz Central reported that the Pacquiao matriarch will only be watching the fight on TV at the MGM Grand.

“Hindi sa mismong harap ng ring kasi maaawa ako sa anak ko pag nasuntok siya ng kalaban niya, baka umakyat ako sa ring," she told Showbiz Central.

It will be the first time that Pacquiao’s mom will actually be on the US during his fight, using the opportunity to do some sightseeing as well. Previously, Aling Dionisia stays in their General Santos City mansion, spending time praying for her son’s success and safety.

Also new in the Pacquiao camp is the tapping of a first male performer to sing the national anthem in Martin Nievera. In the past, Pacquiao has assigned only female singers such as Kyla, Karylle, Geneva Cruz and Sarah Geronimo to do the honors, apparently giving him good luck.

Nievera was handpicked by Pacquiao, who dropped the invite when he met the Concert King during his birthday party last December.

“I’m very happy about it. I’ve always wanted to be the singer of the national anthem," Nievera said in a separate interview with Showbiz Central.

The veteran singer said he’s now preparing to give a rendition of a Lupang Hinirang that is “sung by a proud Filipino."

“Manny Pacquiao is gonna bring honor to the country and I’m gonna help make our country proud by singing the national anthem with all my heart and utmost pride," Nievera said.

Amid all these new sidebars, it will Pacquiao who will bask in the limelight when he guns for Hatton’s International Boxing Organization and Ring Magazine junior welterweight title in their “Battle of East and West" bout.

SOURCE: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/156693/New-things-in-Pacquiaos-fight-Mom-on-hand-male-artist-to-sing-anthem

Pacquiao vs. Hatton 24/7 Trailer (HBO)

The groundbreaking HBO Sports® reality series 24/7 returns with the four-episode Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7, spotlighting two of boxings most intriguing superstars Manny Pacquiao, the sports reigning pound-for-pound king, and Ricky Hatton, England's explosive Hitman. Follow the drama and grueling preparations under the watchful eyes of two fiery trainers as it all leads up to the LIVE HBO Pay-Per-View® welterweight showdown on May 2 at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

SOURCE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6gslHGQs8