Hatton predicts 6th to 10th round KO vs Pacquiao

International Boxing Organization (IBO) Junior Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton is confident he will knockout Manny Pacquiao at least midway into their 12-round title fight in Las Vegas on May 2.

Hatton predicts a knockout between the 6th and 10th rounds. He said he is in top form to beat the best pound-for-pound fighter today.

Both Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach and Top Rank Promotions boss Bob Arum similarly pronounced earlier the May 2 boxing showdown will not go the distance.

Hatton is now on rigid training in Manchester under the watchful eye and supervision of Floyd Mayweather, Sr..

He is not on strict diet, although he admits, he still needs to lose more pounds.

Hatton is excited on their new game plan, which he calls “controlled aggression” to match the hand speed and fast footwork of Pacquiao.

"We're both very aggressive fighters. I'll have to go for the knockout so," Hatton said. "I mean, you can never say never. I mean, the main thing is, I'm sure Manny would say the same, is that we win."

Meanwhile, Mayweather, Sr. celebrated his 56th birthday in Bristol, where a non-title boxing card was also presented by Hatton Promotions.

Win or lose, Hatton wishes to visit the Philippines and is open to do a commercial project with Pacquiao.

Hatton was amazed how Filipino boxing fans glorified Pacquiao especially during their previous UK promo tour.

"The people are wonderful, very, very nice people. When we had a press conference in London and Manchester lots of Filipino people turned up and they were very nice, very, very polite, very proud of their fighter,” he said.

He added: “Yeah, of course, I mean I've heard good things about the Filipino people. the brief encounter I've had with them is everything that people have said is true, they're very nice people.”

Hatton did not forget to greet his Filipino fans, too.

"Mabuhay kapamilya, maraming salamat," said Hatton.

Hatton is set to leave for the United States on April after watching the boxing match of his younger brother, Matthew, on March 28 in Altrincham, England.

Source: ABS-CBN News

Pacquiao vs Hatton London Update

London Update: Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton pose with the IBO belt during a press conference at the Imperial War Museum in London, England on Monday during one of the stops on their mega UK media tour to officially announce their upcoming “East vs West” world junior welterweight championship fight on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Hatton is presented by Top Rank and Golden Boy and will be available on HBO Pay Per View.

Manny PACQUIAO vs Ricky HATTON is On!

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.