Ricky Hatton’s excesses tamed as he prepares for Manny Pacquiao arrival

According to several insiders from Ricky Hatton’s camp, the thoughts of trainers Floyd Mayweather Snr and Lee Beard on Hatton’s excesses between fights have found a foothold.
Hatton has not ‘binged’ on his family holiday this year, and is believed to have had an earlier ‘cut-off’ point in his celebrations. Hatton is deadly serious about this contest, having felt he underperformed when he fought the then world No 1 pound for pound fighter in Floyd Mayweather Jnr 15 months ago.
It also appears that Hatton has grown tired of looking ‘big’ next to his upcoming opponents, with Manny Pacquiao due for a public fan rally in Manchester on Saturday, with the pair then heading down to London for a press open day at the Imperial War Museum on Monday.
Several times now, Hatton the man who has promoted his contest three months before on a press tour is not the man who appears in front of the fans and media in fight week.
Hatton is serious - and that can only be good, as Manny Pacquiao has the potential to close Hatton’s career if he is not in tip-top shape.
Beard insists fans should not worry. “Ricky is coming along and is in great shape.”
Pleasing for the camp, is that Hatton has passed several early fitness tests with flying colours. It is also a sign of growing maturity with the Mancunian, who wants two more fights after this, potentially against Floyd Mayweather Jnr, and one other major name,
For now, having been dismantled by Pacquiao, last December, Oscar De La Hoya would seem out of the equation. Beard is insistent on having Mexican sparring partners to approximate the Pacquiao style, admitting there is no-one in the UK capable of creating the havoc that the Filipino can generate in a ring.
Beard, who has been studying Pacquiao’s style in minute detail, said the hallmarks of Hatton’s opponent were “extremely strong fighter, very active and throws every punches in the book, allied with variety of punches, good on his feet and fine defensively or offensively going forward or backwards.” No wonder Hatton is already in shape !
The business begins this weekend. It will be a long haul until the moment they meet at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on May 2.

MANNY PACQUIAO VOLUNTARILY RELINQUISHES HIS WBC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS

February 24, 2009 – Mexico City.

From WBC President Jose Sulaiman:

“The WBC has received a letter from the great boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, stating that he has voluntarily relinquished his WBC lightweight world championship.

“The WBC is extremely proud of Manny, who has been associated with our organization since 1997, when he won the WBC-affiliated OPBF championship. Manny became the WBC flyweight world champion in 1998.

“With severe weight problems, he moved up to the super bantamweight division and immediately won the WBC International super bantamweight title, which he defended five times.

“In 2005, he challenged Erik Morales for the WBC International super featherweight title and although he lost that fight, Manny came back to win the vacant International title in his next fight. He won the rematch with Morales in 2006, and went on to defend the International title five times.

“In March, 2008, Manny defeated Juan Manuel Marquez to win the WBC super featherweight world title. In June, 2008, he moved up to the lightweight division and defeated David Diaz to win the WBC lightweight world championship, and he finished his historic year with a knockout win against Oscar de la Hoya in a welterweight fight.

“Manny Pacquiao won the WBC’s award for ‘2008 Fighter of the Year.’

“The WBC wishes to thank Manny for his beautiful letter, and we wish him the best of luck. He will always have the WBC in his corner.”

Manny’s letter read in full:

“Dear Mr. Sulaiman and World Boxing Council:

“I take great pride and honor in representing the WBC as its lightweight champion at the present time. Your institution has opened the door for my success in boxing and I am grateful for the prestige your organization had given me over the years as on of its champions in many different weight categories.

“I have had discussions with my team as to the direction of my career since my fight at 147 lbs. with Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6, 2008. After careful consideration and in the advancement of my professional boxing career, I intend at this time to campaign in the super lightweight division with a fight against Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009.

“Therefore, this correspondence will serve as formal notice to the World Boxing Council I am voluntarily relinquishing my WBC lightweight championship in order to pave the way for a new champion and provide opportunities and success for other fighters in the lightweight division.

“I look forward to the opportunity and distinction of representing your organization as a world champion in future.

“Sincerely,

“Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao”

Pacquiao to use footwork vs. Hatton

Good footwork is a key element of Manny Pacquiao’s successful boxing career, a tool he used to advantage in pummeling to submission the bigger and stronger Oscar De La Hoya in their December 6 fight.

It’s a device he would need to employ again to the hilt when he tangles with British junior welterweight star Ricky Hatton in their coming May 2 bout, according to his renowned trainer Freddie Roach.

Nigel Collins, editor-in-chief of The Ring Magazine, observed that the signature move Pacquiao used in his “Dream Match” against De La Hoya carried the Filipino icon to his upset victory by “largely nullifying Oscar’s biggest weapon, his concussive left hook.”

“Pacquiao would step in quickly, deliver a rapid combination, pivot to his right, bend at the knee, and duck low,” Collins, a veteran boxing writer, wrote in his article “The Lost Art of Footwork” in the April issue of The Ring.

It is a routine that Pacquiao mastered at training camp and employed to near perfection during the fight, and handed De La Hoya, boxing’s biggest draw, his worst beating in his entire career.

“We developed that move especially to take away Oscar’s bread-and-butter [left hook] and work on it throughout camp,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainor for more than eight years. “Footwork is something of a lost art, but it was the key to Manny’s victory over Oscar.”

Collins observed that the top four boxers in The Ring’s current pound-for-pound ratings—Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins—are all known for employing intelligent footwork.

“Overlooked, misunderstood, and difficult to master, footwork [and its co-joined twin, balance] has always been and remains and remains the hallmark of the great fighter down throughout the generations,” said Collins, a keen student of The Sweet Science.

He said that among the iconic heavyweights, Jim Corbett, Jack Johnson, Gene Tunney, Joe Walcott, Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes were all gifted hoofers.

Collins said good movement in the ring also played a major role in the success of fighters not normally associated with fancy legworks, noting how the likes of Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, or better yet, Roberto Duran cut off the ring in their prime.

Among active fighters, Collins mentioned the ageless Bernard Hopkins, who practically gave unbeaten middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik a boxing clinic using excellent footwork.

“It’s all about footwork, footwork and balance. They’re together,” Hopkins told Collins.

Hopkins said that “70 percent to 80 percent of winning a fight is based on positioning,” adding that it is proper footwork that allows a fighter to be in position to attack or defend himself.

Hopkins said the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard both had great footwork, a quality that helped earn them their status as best among the elite boxing greats in the history of the sport.

According to Collins footwork has always been a part of the development of boxing since the time of the bare-knuckle prizefighters of the 18th and 19th century.

“Footwork has always been the shifting foundation upon which boxing excellence is built,” Collins said.

Pacquiao vs Hatton Online - Live

Manny "PACMAN" Pacquiao vs Ricky "HITMAN" Hatton Online Video Streaming.

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. Watch Live on May 2, 2009.

Pacquiao vs Hatton

Comments won’t affect Pacquiao, to focus on training for Hatton fight


MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao doesn’t want to get distracted on the comments made by former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky Hatton. Instead, he trains hard and lets his fist do the talking inside the ring.

Mayweather, who also predicted De La Hoya will beat Pacquiao last year, said that the Filipino boxing icon has no chance of winning against Hatton, the same opponent he beat in 2007 before hanging up his gloves.

Hatton, in a press conference last week, also said that he is convinced he can beat Pacquiao in their scheduled 12-round bout on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao just brushed aside their comments.

“I don’t want to respond on their comments. They just wanted me to get mad and react on what they say," said Pacquiao in Filipino. “You can see who the better boxer inside the ring is. You just don’t talk about it but rather show it."

Pacquiao said he is confident on his boxing skills and believes that prayer and trust in God also help him win matches. “I won’t promise anything but I will do my best when I fight Hatton."

He said that by the middle of February he would start jogging and lifting weights as a preparation for another eight weeks of training at Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao said he wanted the same training when he fought De La Hoya last year. – GMANews.tv

Pacquiao vs Hatton

HBO will do the Pacquiao vs Hatton Fight

After a weeks of talks about who will handle the PPV event, the bout between Pacquiao vs Hatton has already been signed. HBO will handle the PPV event come May 2. Previously, there have been talks on who will handle the PPV event. Bob Arum, the promoter of Manny Pacquiao said that Showtime, the rival of HBO is being considered to handle the event. Both Bob Arum and Richard Schaffer who is the promoter of Ricky Hatton have already weighs if which network is much much better. Both Arum and Schaffer agrees that HBO will do the event. The factors that leads to the decision is that HBO has a much better and industry leader in pay-per-view boxing.

Pacquiao vs Hatton

LAS VEGAS - 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 rumble for Hatton's World Junior Welterweight Championships Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. These two boxing artists will have a 20 x 20 foot canvas to paint a black and blue masterpiece that the world has been waiting to see. 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.

"When Manny Pacquiao goes into the ring he fights for his country, the Philippines, and tens of thousands of Filipinos worldwide. He is a tremendous athlete and unlike any other champion we have ever promoted. When Manny walks to the ring he carries the weight of his country on his shoulders and he fights with all of his heart, every second of every round."

"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."

"MGM Grand is thrilled to be hosting what we anticipate will be one of the biggest fights of 2009," said Richard Sturm, president of Sports and Entertainment for MGM MIRAGE. "As we continue our tradition of hosting the top names in sports and entertainment, this spectacular boxing match will not only be a battle between two great champions but will offeran electric and international atmosphere for the fans."

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) secured his claim as the 2008 Fighter of the Year, a year reminiscent of what Hall of Fame fighter Henry Armstrong did in 1937-1938, winning three fights in three different weight divisions, two of which were world titles. Armstrong is the only man to hold three world championships simultaneously, capturing world titles at featherweight, welterweight and lightweight (in that order) during a nine-month span between November 1937 and August 1938. Pacquiao, officially proclaimed a National Treasure by the Philippines, captured the WBC World Super Featherweight title last March by defeating Juan Manuel Marquez and the WBC World Lightweight title in June by knocking out defending champion David Diaz. He completed his personal trifecta by stopping Oscar de la Hoya in a welterweight battle on December 6. Pacquiao's last two victories were in his debut fight in each weight division with the latter fight being two full divisions above his previous fight. Pacquiao, 30, has won 24 of his last 25 bouts, blitzing through boxing's best fighters since 2003 including Erik Morales (TKO 10, KO 3,), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Marquez (D 12, W 12,), Diaz (TKO 9) and De La Hoya (KO 8). Pacquiao was previously named the 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America andRing Magazine.

"I always like new challenges which is the reason I am anxious to fight Ricky Hatton. 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."

The storied career of Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), an international superstar hailing from Manchester, England, began in 1997 and for the last 12 years he has been thrilling fight fans around the world with his aggressive style in the ring and down to earth attitude outside of the ring. Owner of victories over world champions Kostya Tszyu, Vince Phillips, Paulie Malignaggi, Luis Collazo, Jose Luis Castillo, Juan Urango and Carlos Maussa, Hatton is a two division world champion. He fell short of the pound-for-pound best fighter title and world welterweight championships in his 2007 super-fight against Floyd Mayweather. However, the 30-year-old bounced back impressively at his natural weight of 140 pounds last May when he scored a near shutout 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Lazcano. His most recent fight was a scintillating shutout performance against world champion Malignaggi last November, ending with an 11th round TKO for "The Hitman". Hatton was honored as the 2005 Fighter of the Year by Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.

"I'm really excited to get back in the ring in Vegas after beating Malignaggi in November," said Hatton. "I am confident that I am the fighter to take down the pound-for-pound champion and I believe I will be victorious on May 2."

Pacquiao vs Hatton

After Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao wins the Dream Match against De La Hoya via 8th round TKO, so much talk about the next fight of Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) would be Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs). Indeed, this was on the news for 2 week now and it’s scorching hot as a topic now. The much anticipated boxing match/showdown between Pacquiao vs Hatton is now in the final stage or is now close to finilazing a deal to meet in a 140-pound (63.5-kilogram) bout on May 2, 2009 at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas’ Thomas and Mack Center as Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told The Associated Press .


But there is someone who is also interested to fight Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Floyd Mayweather Jr., said he would come out from his retirement, is considering fighting Pacquiao in the ring also. But I guess this Pacquiao vs Mayweather Jr. fight would be on queue or sidelined first. If Pacquiao beats Hatton, this will cement him a pound-for-pound crown and this will lure Floyd out of retirement. Of course, the fans and experts are expected to mount a call for a fight between the Filipino and Mayweather Jr., the former pound-for-pound king.

Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion, will be gunning for a fifth weight crown against Hatton, who holds the International Boxing Organization junior welterweight belt. Pacquiao would move back down one weight class to face Hatton, the hard-living English star who won his last bout against Paulie Malignaggi on Nov. 22, 2008 defending his 140-pound (63.5-kilogram) title. Hatton won twice this year after the only loss of his career, to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007.

This proposed fight would match boxing’s unofficial pound-for-pound champion against one of the world’s most popular brawlers, assuredly generating big paydays for both fighters. With Manny’s following in Asia and Ricky’s support in Europe, this is a fight with tremendous global appeal, and both of them have built up a very strong following, you could say Las Vegas is the center of everything.”

Some quotes:

“My guy is on board,” Pacquiao promoter and Top Rank chief Bob Arum told Steve Lillis of England’s News of the World. “I think Ricky’s on board and I am very upbeat.”

Steve Kim of SecondsOut.com said the match is a “done deal.”

Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions that handles Hatton’s fight, also said that the fight has been virtually green-lighted.

“If Floyd considers something, it would be the biggest thing,” Ellerbe told ESPN.com.

But Ellerbe said that Mayweather issued a little warning to Pacquiao. “Floyd said, ‘He’s a good fighter, but I’ll beat his [expletive].”

We will just hope that this fight will be final. If this will push through, mark your calendars as early as now, for this will be an exciting bout to watch. I will surely watch this fight. Talking abou Pacquiao vs Hatton Live fight online streaming, I will try my best to update some links here if there’s someone who will share it with me. Also, Manny Pacquiao Vs Ricky Hatton Fight Results will also be posted here as soon as it happens.

As usual, with my past pacquiao’s boxing fight coverage such as the Pacquiaov s Dela Hoya fight, I will try my best to update and do a round by round live coverage and also post their boxing fight video, same as Pacquiao vs Dela Hoya Video, as soon it is available and uploaded to video sites. Relax and be updated. My prediction, as usual I go for my kababayan, Manny Pacquiao by KO on the later rounds. Good luck Manny.

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton Fight - Live

Pacquiao vs Hatton


Watch Manny "PACMAN" Pacquiao vs Ricky "HITMAN" Hatton Online Video Streaming.

I won’t let you down,’ Hatton tells British fans

Ricky Hatton has made a promise to his legions of British fans.

"I am not going to let you down," the ultra-aggressive Hatton told the BBC after it was confirmed that everything is green and go for the much-awaited 12-round showdown with Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"I’ve challenged the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world once and came second," said Hatton, who lost a heartbreaking stoppage to then pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Dec. 2007.

"That fight was at welterweight (147 lbs) but I’ve always said that at light-welterweight (junior-welterweight) there is no one better than me in the world. With perseverance and hard work I believe I can become the best boxer in the world," said the 30-year-old native of Manchester.

Hatton hasn’t been beaten at super-lightweight (140 lbs) and the steel-fisted right-hander plans to add a marquee name like Pacquiao to his growing list of victims.

Pacquiao hasn’t fought at this weight class but was sensational at welterweight late last year against Oscar De La Hoya, who looked as though he had been ran over by a truck after eight rounds of relentless battering.

"It’s going to be a cracking fight, if I wasn’t fighting Pacquiao I’d be a fan of his, and Ricky Hatton fights are never dull," concluded Hatton, who is a 2-1 underdog.

Pacquiao is unperturbed that he is facing a livewire foe like Hatton as the four-division champion remains optimistic that Hatton will end up like the ones who tried to challenge his superior skills and blazing hand speed.

Pacquiao will start training under Freddie Roach not on March 1 as what had earlier been targeted but on March 4 or 5 as he has to fulfill his promotional obligations.

Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles on Feb. 24 and the following day he will be joined by Roach and a few advisers and Top Rank chief Bob Arum to London then onward to Manchester. From the UK, they’ll head back to the US and New York will be the first stop of a two-leg tour that will end in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao officially signs contract of May 2 fight vs Hatton

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao officially signed the contract Friday night for his most-anticipated battle against England's most famous boxer, Ricky Hatton.Pacquiao confirmed the news to ABS-CBN correspondent Dyan Castillejo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where he fetched his wife, Jinky, and fourth child, Baby Queenie, on Saturday morning.Castillejo said that according to Pacquiao, the contract has been passed on to Bob Arum of Top Rank. The contract was expected to reach England on Saturday.Castillejo also reported over radio dzMM that the latest agreement was to hold the action packed face-off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2.She said Pacquiao will train for eight weeks for the big fight starting March. Before the rigorous training in the United States, she said Pacquiao and Hatton will hold separate press conferences in February in England and US.According to Castillejo, Pacquiao will train harder for the equally aggressive Hatton. She said Pacquiao told her that he would have to watch out for Hatton's deadly left hook.Pacquiao will be entering a new territory when he faces Hatton, who is considered the king of the 140-lbs division. He will have to go down to Hatton's turf from 147 lbs.Pacquiao was the first Filipino to win in three divisions in a single year. He defeated Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez at 130 lbs and then David Diaz at 135 lbs.The Filipino boxer's last victory, and according to him the sweetest in his career, was the historic fight against boxing legend Oscar dela Hoya. He beat the Golden Boy at 147 lbs.Meanwhile, Los Angeles Times' online edition reported that Arum has confirmed that he has in his possession the Pacquiao-signed contract.The report said Arum had confirmed Pacquiao agreed to a 52-48 split in his favor and a $12 million guaranteed purse.Three bottles of beerA PhilBoxing.com report said Friday that Pacquiao was convinced by long-time buddy Rex Salud to sign the contract after a dare over three bottles of beer.The report said that according to Salud, Pacquiao told him he will agree to sign the contract only after he downed three bottles of beer.Salud, who is not a drinker, downed the three bottles of beer because he is one of the millions of Filipino boxing enthusiasts who want to see Pacquiao slug it out with Hatton.On Wednesday, Pacquiao failed to meet the 6 p.m. deadline set by Hatton's camp. Pacquiao reportedly wanted a bigger guaranteed purse.Franklin "Jeng" Gacal, Pacquiao's lawyer, said the decision was not about money, but principle. He said Pacquiao wanted a little respect from Hatton's camp in the negotiating table.

Source: Abs-Cbn