TONIGHT: Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton
Posted by Tommy Hackett on May 2nd, 2009
Despite being a Pacquiao fan since I first heard of the guy in ‘02 or so, I’m hoping for Hatton to pull off an unlikely upset tonight, and this video of the weigh ins offers some hope…
Pacquiao comes in a bit light at 138 (or 9 stone, 12 pounds as the Brits prefer) which may work in Ricky’s favor. I had been surprised at the amount of muscle Pacquaio had put on in the last year or so; here he looks a bit gaunt. Hatton looks the same as ever, comfortable at the junior welter limit despite his typical massive cut.
Another nice thing to see is that Hatton’s typically raucous support doesn’t bother with as many boo’s as I expected. Hopefully they turn over a new leaf and show a little decency as the PI national anthem is played before the bout.
Anway, his compatriots go a little overboard, but Ian Darke is spot on with his commentary. Hatton will need to show a defense he’s never shown before to win this. That’s not impossible; while I’ve never been 100% sold on the guy, he seems energized by his new training with Floyd Mayweather Sr., and maybe we’re a due for an upset. Can Hatton combine his new skills with his old tenacity and fight a perfect fight against the world’s best? Will he get to Pacquaio’s body early, despite having a reach disadvantage, and wear him down enough to beat the odds down the stretch?
If he doesn’t, expect an extended, one-sided beating administered by Pacquiao, which will likely set up a bout against a severely diminished Floyd Mayweather Jr. That win will in turn elevate Pacquaio to canonization among my Filipino family & friends… who already just won’t shut up about the guy.
So, I rooted against him the first time I saw him (vs. Eamonn Magee), and I wasn’t 100% sure he was even the best British Jr. Welter when he fought Tszuh for the title; but I’ll be singing along tonight. “There’s only one Ricky Hatton,” indeed.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I loved it when Manny knocked Hatton out in the 2nd round. Absolutely amazing!