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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WILL PACQUIAO-HATTON LIVE UP TO HAGLER-HEARNS

Both Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr. have promised knockouts inside of three rounds, but will the highly-anticipated clash between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton live up to the lofty expectations of their trainers? While the styles of each fighter certainly could lead to the type of action witnessed on April 15, 1985, is there really enough bad blood between Pacquiao and Hatton to wage the same type of three-round war?

"I don't like him, and he doesn't like me. That's not the usual prefight talk; that's just the way things are," Hearns would matter-of-factly state leading up to his title challenge. "He's chicken. He ducked me for three years until he thought I got old. Well, I'm not old, and he's in for a helluva beating," then champion Marvin Hagler would respond. Perhaps it was the mutual dislike of each other that ultimately lead to the brawler, Hagler, knocking out the boxer, Hearns, after three rounds of non-stop, toe-to-toe action.

But unlike that classic fight which took place 24 years ago, there is no animosity between the two fighters set to square off in May. Where Hagler and Hearns despised each other, Hatton and Pacquiao share a mutual respect for one another. In fact, the only bad blood that does exist is between the two trainers. So what will happen this time around when another brawler squares off against another boxer...when another orthodox fighter takes on another southpaw…when another Hitman (45-1, 32KOs) clashes with Pac Man (48-3-2, 36KOs) on May 2nd? Well, although the circumstances may be slightly different, if you listen to their trainers, the fight will play out something like this...

ROUND 1
Hatton comes out fast, leaping in with a left hook upstairs that's blocked by Pacquiao. The tanacious Hatton pushes Pacquiao back to the ropes. Head down, he bangs a 1-2 to the body. Pacquiao fires back a vicious four-punch combo that momentarily staggers Hatton. Another 1-2 lands for Pacquiao. Hatton holds on. The ref separates them. Nice left hand lands for Hatton, but Pacquiao fires back with a 1-2 upstairs. Hatton digs a right hand to the body and lands two hard left hooks upstairs. Pacquiao grins and bangs his gloves as if to say he was unfazed by the punches. Both men clinch. Pacquiao dances away on his toes and fires his jab. Hatton presses forward. Left hand lands for Pacquiao. Hatton misses with a left hook to the body. Pacquiao lands a 1-2. Hatton still stalking as Pacquiao circles the ring. They trade jabs. Left hook to the body lands for Hatton. Pacquiao lands a left. Another. Hatton looks unfazed and continues to press forward. Woooooo...quick four-punch combo lands for Pacquiao and Hatton is cut. There's a cut over the left eye of Hatton. Hatton bangs a left to the body and pushes Pacquiao back to the ropes. Blood is pouring all over the face of Hatton. Pacquiao in the corner and Hatton continues to work the body. Pacquiao fires back. Both men trading non-stop in the corner. Two vicious uppercuts land for Pacquio. Hatton answers with a 1-2 upstairs that snaps the head back of Pacquiao. Great round! Great round! I give it to Pacquiao.

Pacquiao 10 Hatton 9

ROUND 2
Hatton charges out and lands a left to the body. Pacquiao dances away and lands a quick 1-2. Hatton presses forward. Pacquiao lands a jab. Another. Straight left lead lands for Pacquiao. Hatton leaps in with a left hook to the body, but misses. Another 1-2 lands for Pacquiao. Hatton lands a right upstairs. Wooooo...another right from Hatton snaps the head back of Pacquiao again. Left to the body lands for Hatton. Pacquiao dances away. Quick three-punch combo lands for Pacquiao. Hatton lands a jab. Another. Pacquiao retreats to the ropes. Some roughhousing on the inside from Hatton. Hatton digs a 1-2 to the body against the ropes. Pacquiao lands a left hook upstairs. 1-2 lands for Pacquiao that opens the cut back up. More blood begins to flow down the face of Hatton. Hatton answers with a 1-2 of his own upstairs. Pacquiao holds on. Hatton lands a nice right upstairs. Some more roughhousing on the inside from Hatton. Pacquiao covers up. Hatton digs another 1-2 to the body. Pacquiao lands a three-punch combo, but eats a HARD right hand from Hatton that snaps his head back. Both men trade jabs. Pacquiao lands a lead straight left. Nice left and a right lands for Hatton against the ropes. Hatton mauls Pacquiao against the ropes as he mugs him with elbows. 1-2 to the body lands for Hatton. Pacquiao works his way out with a three-punch combo. Another good round. A close one, but I give it to Hatton.

Pacquiao 19 Hatton 19

ROUND 3
"Manny, keep the jab in his face. Keep moving and don't let him touch your body son," Freddie Roach could be heard telling Pacquiao in the corner. Pacquiao comes out dancing on his toes and lands a quick 1-2. Jab lands for Pacquiao. Hatton bulls forward and tries to maul him again with some elbows. Referee Kenny Bayless warns Hatton about the dirty tactics. Pacquiao circles around the ring and lands a lead straight left. Hatton jumps in with a left hook to the body, but misses as Pacquiao dances away. Hatton presses forward and backs Pacquiao up to the corner. Some more roughhousing by Pacquiao as he lands a 1-2 to the body. Pacquiao works his way out with a quick combo. Now there's a break in the action as Bayless wants the doctor to take a look at the cut. Thankfully, the action resumes. Hatton leaps in wildly and lands a left hook to the body. Pacquiao grins and bangs his gloves together again. Hatton bulls forward and lands a 1-2. Pacquiao fires back and lands a four-punch combo of his own. Lead straight left lands for Pacquiao. Hatton just eats it. Another lead straight left lands for Pacquiao. Hatton eats it again and presses forward. WOOOOOOOOOO...right hand, left hook and a BIG right uppercut lands for Pacquiao and Hatton is down. He's down! Hatton is flat on his back! Bayless picks up the count at 4, 5, 6....Hatton rolls over and tries to get up....8, 9....Hatton barely beats the count to make it to his feet, but he looks done. His legs are done! Bayless looks him over...THAT'S IT....IT'S OVER! Kenny Bayless calls a halt to the action. Pacquiao raises his hands to the crowd before kneeling in the corner to say a prayer. The crowd is going crazy!

Pacquiao TKO3

Okay...so maybe it's just wishful thinking...maybe we're asking too much of Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. Expecting them to put on a performance on par with the three-round war that Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns participated in might be a little unrealistic. But wouldn't that be great? With the recent retirement of Oscar De La Hoya, wouldn't it be nice to know that the sport of boxing far transcends any one big name? That it's the fight itself, not the name of the fighter, that compels fans to watch a clash of styles guaranteed to produce fireworks. On May 2nd, let's hope that both fighters put on a performance that lives up to the predictions of their trainers.

SOURCE: http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content4643.html

Hatton-Pacquiao: Sideshow battle continues

The gesture seemed, well, almost genuinely nice.

Then again that was only at first glance. Factor in the escalating war of words that Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao’s trainers have bombed on each other in the last few weeks, and every media member inside the cramped IBA gym Thursday afternoon knew nothing good could come from the gift setting on the table.

“Just another joke from the (Freddie) Roach. But Roach is the joke,” said Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., who offered up a big smile after opening the hand-delivered box from Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels, complete with a bright-red ribbon on the outside that read “second place.”

Inside there was a bottle of weight-loss supplements from Roach’s own line, Fighting Fit, a T-shirt with Pacquiao’s trainer’s likeness and a typed note from the usually reserved Roach instructing Hatton (who jokingly refers to himself as “Ricky Fatton” for his fondness of beers between fights) how to take off those last few pounds before his May 2 megabout with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand.

“They too late,” said Mayweather, who smiled for the cameras before holding up Roach’s shirt. “We’ve been there and done that and we ain’t even done yet. Look at Ricky, he’s got an eight-pack. They don’t want ‘Slick Rick’ to beat up the ‘Pac-Man.’”

Hatton stopped skipping rope to take part in the gag.

“Does the package say to be gentle?” he joked.

Thursday’s scene was just the latest installment in the ongoing sideshow battle between the top-tier trainers who threw their first personal punches long before Hatton and Pacquiao’s “The Battle of East and West” tour began in Manchester, England, in late February.

Don’t expect it to slow much in the next 16 days leading up to the junior welterweight title match.

Hatton doesn’t seem to mind though.

“It would be a very boring sport if we didn’t have personalities like this,” said the current IBO and Ring Magazine world junior welterweight champ, who has never lost at 140 pounds.

“We’ve got two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world fighting, and arguably two of the best trainers in the world fighting. They just want to get one over on each other. I wouldn’t read too much into it. They’re both excellent coaches.”

Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) is banking on his second bout under Mayweather’s tutelage to be the biggest and best of his career.

“A lot of people thought (Paulie) Malignaggi would beat me. In the end I think I outjabbed him, and was very, very quick myself,” Hatton said of his 11th-round TKO win over the New York native in November.

“After just seven weeks with a new team, I think that was probably the most impressive thing I’ve ever done. I believe we only scraped the surface, because we only had seven weeks.”

While several boxing pundits believe Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) will be too fast for Hatton, “The Hitman” disagrees.

“I’m not saying I’m quicker than Manny, but I think people are focusing a little more on the size and power factor. I’m pretty quick myself. And even more so with my new camp,” Hatton said.

“You can have the fastest hands in the world, but it’s all about timing. If you don’t throw them at the right time, they won’t land on anything and it won’t matter.”

Unlike his outspoken trainer, Hatton doesn’t blatantly dismiss Pacquaio’s skills or accomplishments, but the 30-year-old does believe too much credit was given to Pacquiao for his lopsided win over Oscar De La Hoya in December, which ultimately sent “The Golden Boy” into retirement.

“I don’t want to be disrespectful to Manny for his best win of it career, but I don’t think it was particularly hard to beat Oscar that night,” Hatton said.

“I think he just had a body in front of him for the most part, he was able to pretty much do as he pleased. He probably looked faster than he actually is and he might have looked stronger than he actually is.”

Mayweather didn’t sugarcoat his feelings about Pacquaio’s big win, and said if he had been in De La Hoya’s corner that night Pacquaio would not be facing Hatton in May.

He even went as far as to say that Hatton could be victorious against Pacquiao without him.

“He could win this fight without me. I feel that good about it,” said Mayweather, who with a win by Hatton will be rewarded with a large trophy that reads "No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Best Trainer in the World."

“I got control in the corner so I’m not worried about it. But Manny's got Roach, so he should."

SOURCE: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/apr/17/megafights-sideshow-battle-continues/

It will be a quick fight – Roach

Manny Pacquiao believes he has Ricky Hatton all figured out.

Amid the non-stop clicking of the cameras and a torrent of questions, Pacquiao exuded confidence on Wednesday when asked about his fast-approaching clash with British banger Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“We already know what to do,” said Pacquiao, who hosted a large contingent of mediamen at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.

“Just stay off the ropes and do all the fighting in the middle of the ring,” said the Filipino southpaw, widely regarded today as boxing's best pound-for-pound.

Pacquiao’s trainer was more direct to the point — and blunt.

“This will be a quick fight,” Roach told Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times. “Ricky's a tough guy, but we'll knock him out. I'll bet my house on it.”

Top Rank chief Bob Arum was also on hand during the open workout and was on a high as he was waiting for his flight to the Philippines from Los Angeles later in the day.

“The media day was well-attended and even CNN was there and they're doing a long feature about the fight. It was unusual,” said Arum, who arrives in Manila this morning to be at ringside for this weekend's double world championship fight at the Araneta Coliseum.

Next up for Pacquiao, according to Arum is a special day at the AT&T baseball park in San Francisco on Tuesday where the SF Giants play the San Diego Padres. Pacquiao is throwing the first pitch.

“Manny will be training at 11 a.m. then after he trains we fly to San Francisco,” said Arum. “Then we head back to Los Angeles.”

Team Pacquiao motors to Las Vegas on April 27 and Roach is set to make arrangements for the use of the IBA Gym on Euclid Street, the training facility that he uses whenever Pacquiao is in town for a fight, shortly.

Told that Hatton and trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. camp out there daily, Roach said he expects to have his way for the use of the gym.

“I am friends with the owner,” said Roach.

SOURCE: http://mb.com.ph/articles/202585/it-will-be-a-quick-fight-roach