Ricky Hatton says vs Pacquiao He Will, "Attack, Attack And Attack Again,"

Ever since the fight was announced, was then in doubt and was then back on for good, the fans have been talking about the May 2nd battle between 140-pound stars Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao as being just that, a battle. The paying public, the majority of them anyway, are expecting a real, hard war in Las Vegas, and judging by what Ring magazine light-welterweight champ Hatton had to say to Sky Sports recently, the fight will indeed be fought in a way that will make it an affair to carry an adults-only certificate..

For though he says there will be plenty of speed on his part and not just power, Hatton has laid out his-game-plan for the big fight, and he says he plans to be ultra-aggressive against the Filipino southpaw dynamo.

"Attack, attack and attack again," was "The Hitman's" answer when he was asked how he will approach the May fight. "If you beat the pound-for-pound number one that is a statement. We are both very aggressive and both like to go forward but ultimately my size and power will be a factor. But it's not just a power thing, I'm working on my speed. I think they [Team-Pacquiao] see me as a slow fighter and they will get a shock on the night [at] just how fast I am."

With Pacquiao also likely to come out fast and aggressive at the first bell, the fight cannot fail to be fan-friendly. However, Ricky has a feeling Manny may try to out-box him as he did Oscar De La Hoya back in December of last year - as he explained.

"I'll be keeping the same ferocity I've always had and when he feels my strength I don't think Manny will stand about," Hatton said. "I think he will think he can out-box me like he did Oscar De La Hoya. He might come and have a go early on but with the greatest respect I don't think it would have been hard to out-box Oscar that night.

"If Manny thinks he can do the same to me I think he will come unstuck."

Hatton clearly goes along with all those who feel Pacquiao had nothing too formidable in front of him last December, when the formerly great "Golden Boy" was both old and very weak at the weight. This, as Hatton says, will not be the case with him on May 2nd. So far, the 30-year-old Manchester man has been delighted with the way his training has gone.

"We are only half way through training camp, and I think a lot of fighters would be happy with my speed, sharpness and timing come fight night," Ricky said. "I'm happy with the stage I am at but I just know my boxing ability, combination punches, jabbing and head movement is going to get so much better. I have a nice balance now and the fight can't come quick enough."

In what is likely to be a fight of the year candidate, Hatton Vs. Pacquaio - "The Hitman" Vs. "Pac-Man" - sure can't come quick enough!

Pacquiao knocked down his sparring partner first day!

Los Angeles, California -- DARN, IT’S ONLY THR FIRST DAY!

At the rate things have started at the Wildcard Gym, Freddie Roach, the famed guru at the gym may have a hard time finding more sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao.

And what happened today, the very first day of sparring, may serve as a warning to Ricky Hatton and his loudmouth trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.

The message to them is: Quit talking and start training, because Pacquiao is on a war path.


Pacquiao today more than ever showed that he means business and is treating his fight with Hatton with extra determination.

Pacquiao knocked down his sparring partner, a pretty respectable boxer from Glendale, California, Art Hovhannesyan in the second round.

Then disaster struck!


Hovanessian was cut on the upper eyelid (a cut the ringside experts describes as about one inch) by a single left hook resulting in the immediate stoppage of the sparring.

And the guy was fully equipped with a head gear with a face mask!

Could you imagine if he wasn’t?

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: Two more fights after Hatton, then I'll retire

After his upcoming May 2 clash with British superstar Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, the People's Champion Manny Pacquiao said he will have one or two more fights before calling it quits.

The Pinoy boxing icon said his stellar professional career in boxing means he has nothing more to prove.

"Antagal ko na sa boxing eh, 18 years na... magna-19 years na ko sa boxing," Pacquiao said.

It has been a colorful career for Pacquiao, who set a record in becoming the first Asian to win four titles in four different divisions. He has also defeated some of the biggest names in boxing, including Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Oscar de la Hoya.

Two more fights after Hatton then he will hang his gloves, said Pacquiao.

“Hihintayin pa ba nating magkaroon tayo ng karamdaman bago magretiro?” said the 30-year-old General Santos native.

Pacquiao, who is currently in the United Kingdom to promote his match with Hatton in Las Vegas, said he wants to devote more time to his family.

Success, he said, is meaningless if he will not be with his four children during their formative years.

"Two months, two months lang ako sa tatlong laban, e ‘di six months na 'yun,” said Pacquiao. “Buti kung two months-two months lang akong nawawala sa bahay. Pero usually, six months-seven months akong nasa America. Mas madami akong time kesa sa pamilya ko.”

There are also talks that he will again try entering politics.

On the other hand, Hatton evaded questions of possible retirement should he lose to Pacquiao.

The two boxing superstars were together again in a news conference at the Imperial War Museum in Central London.

It was part of their UK press tour to promote the forthcoming fight dubbed as "The Battle of the East and West."

The two fighters played a game of darts during their first encounter in Manchester, two hours after their public appearance at the Trafford Center.

The darts challenge was held in the historic New Inn Club, one of the oldest English pubs in Manchester formerly owned by the Hatton family.

Meanwhile, part of Pacquiao's schedule was a courtesy call with Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu at the Philippine Embassy in London.

Filipino fans waited for hours outside the embassy.

Most of them did not report for work just to get a glimpse of the Filipino boxing icon, considered today as the best pound-for-pound fighter.

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.