Pacquiao vs. Hatton - May 2, 2009

[Neon_Chaos]

It's official. May 2, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The biggest fight (both in terms of the quality of opponent and the amount of money he's getting) of Manny's career, and it might end up with him being knocked out. I'm concerned that Manny has to come down from 147 to 140 in less than 6 months. This is going to be an insane brawl if it goes longer than 1 round, though.

[DeToxRox]

Well, Hatton has to come down from like 180 to 140 in 6 months ha. I will never forget the Floyd/Hatton After Dark where he said he gains 40 lbs after a fight and cuts them like 4 months before.

[Eaglesfan27]

This is a fight that sounds interesting enough that I'd pay for it, but it is on my 10th anniversary so I have no shot at seeing it live. Please don't post any spoilers in thread titles once it happens. Thanks.

[Dr. Sak]

Personally I think Hatton will get his ass kicked. And we'll have to hear that stupid song 10,000 times before and during the fight.

[BYU 14]

Well, Hatton has to come down from like 180 to 140 in 6 months ha. I will never forget the Floyd/Hatton After Dark where he said he gains 40 lbs after a fight and cuts them like 4 months before.

Quite honestly Hatton has never trained properly until he hooked up with Mayweather senior. In between fights he would drink like crazy, smoke and eat like a typical englishman (Fried this, Fried that and lots of gravy)

You could tell the toll it was taking on him over his last several fights before his victory over Malignaggi. Hopefully he has stayed on Mayweathers regimen because he looked fresher in has last fight than he has since he destroyed Tszyu.

I don't think he can knock Pacquiao out, but if he is in top shape and his defense has continued to improve he can hang with him. It could be a great fight and if anyone is going to get caught and stopped early I have to think it would be Hatton.

[BYU 14]

Personally I think Hatton will get his ass kicked. And we'll have to hear that stupid song 10,000 times before and during the fight.

Like it or not British boxing fans have passion, something sorely missing from the sport in America.

[Neon_Chaos]

Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7! FTW.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I don't remember, how many Ricky Hattons are there?

[Dr. Sak]

There's only one Ricky Hatton...one Ricky Hatton...

[Neon_Chaos]

Less than one week away.

Can't wait!

[Emiliano]

Can't wait for this, either. I still don't know if Sky will broadcast this live or not, though...

[JS19]

anyone know what the line is on the fight? I would imagine Manny is favored?

[B & B]

overwhelming fav, almost 3-1

[Neon_Chaos]

One day away!!!!

Unfortunately, it's going to clash with the Bulls-Celtics game 7 match.

Looks like basketball will have to wait.

[mh2365]

TBCB predicts Pacquaio by TKO7 (with 100 fights run)

[B & B]

paq down to -230 or so.... odds also favor the match not going the distance.

[DeToxRox]

I have Manny with a 10 round KO. I think Hatton gets ultra aggressive late when it's obvious he's going to lose a decision and he walks into a vicious shot.

[Emiliano]

Pacman by KO in the 8th for me.

[Matthean]

Somewhat related.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. to fight again in July - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4125184)

If Mayweather does come back and pulls off the win, that might be one of the best on paper potential matchups(Pacquiao-Mayweather) one could think of in a really long time.

[Karlifornia]

I'm going out on the ledge and calling a Hatton victory. Come on, Mayweather sr., you jackass. Earn it.

[BYU 14]

Watched the weighins and I know Pacman is soft spoken and humble, but he just didn't come off as real confident. Most of his quotes were the "I'll try my best" variety. Probably can't read a lot into that, but Hatton seemed much more confident.


The first three rounds will be key. If Roger Sr has continued to improve his handspeed and upper body movement and he can make Manny miss and then counter him like he did Malinaggi he has a chance. If he starts eating right hands early it and can't slip Pacmans punches I think he will revert to his straight ahead, bore in style and it will be a long night for the Hitman.

[stevew]

My pay per view buddy is not getting it. So I can't see going all 50 bucks by myself. I don't mind paying a half or 3 way split but that's too much cashola wnen you're a non baller.

[stevew]

Is this free in the homeland for you guys Neon?

[Big Fo]

The undercards have finished and the national anthems are being sung. I haven't watched any boxing for months but hopefully this is a good one.

[Noop]

Manny Pacquiao is beating Hatton's ass.

[k0ruptr]

Pacman walloping him after 1.

[Matthean]

And Hatton goes down twice in the first.

[Matthean]

And done. 2nd round. Yay?

[Noop]

Manny Pacquiao second round KO. LOL. I hope Money May stays retired because Pacman is a beast.

[k0ruptr]

HOLY HELL what a punch

[Big Fo]

Awesome KO

[k0ruptr]

destroyed from the beginning, pacman is clearly the best fighter right now all around.

[sabotai]

Wow, Pacquiao really tore him apart. That punch was just sick.

[sabotai]

Looking back on his career, losing to Erik Morales the first time they fought was probably the best thing that happened to Pacquiao. Before that, he was a super fast swarmer who always looked to set up his straight punch. Basically very one dimensional. Morales defended that very well in their first fight, got the decision, and then Pacquiao went to work and developed more weapons. He throws hooks (like that KO punch), he throws punches to the body now. He now has a total set of offensive weapons.

[Neon_Chaos]

stevew: it's free in most provincial areas, ppv in commercial areas.

I saw it live on a movie theater.

WE WENT INSANE!

YOU CAN'T STOP THE DESTROYER!

:D:D:D:D:D

[Neon_Chaos]

Looking back on his career, losing to Erik Morales the first time they fought was probably the best thing that happened to Pacquiao. Before that, he was a super fast swarmer who always looked to set up his straight punch. Basically very one dimensional. Morales defended that very well in their first fight, got the decision, and then Pacquiao went to work and developed more weapons. He throws hooks (like that KO punch), he throws punches to the body now. He now has a total set of offensive weapons.

He's always had the left hook. That's what made him a good fighter.

When he added the right hook, he became a great one.

[BYU 14]

Pacman is sick, definitely the best in the world P4P.

In terms of Hatton he looked totally unprepared, like he didn't realize Pacquiao was a southpaw until he stepped in the ring with him. The first basic rule of fighting a southpaw is stay outside of his right foot so you can move away from his power and see the hook. I don't know if that is on Hatton or Mayweather, but it never happened once, we was destroyed and looked totally baffled.

Also interesting is that Mayweather did not leave the ring with Hatton, he basically split while Hatton was being attended to. If Ricky even fights again I doubt Mayweather will be in his corner.

Hopefully they can line up Pacquiao vs Mayweather Jr now that PBF is coming back. That fight would be huge!!!

Congrats to Pacman, he has really become a complete fighter and was dominant tonight.

[Julio Riddols]

As an outsider who follows boxing from a distance, Pacquiao seems like one of those guys that just has that mystique. He has an air about him that leaves me believing he could pretty much beat anyone he wants to. This fight was almost a foregone conclusion in my mind before it started, but I have to admit 2 rounds exceeded even my expectations.

The dude just has unrivaled work ethic and his ring skills are where they are because of it.

[Karlifornia]

Wow. I didn't get to see the fight, but congrats to Pacquiao. The man is truly the destroyer at this point. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is gonna happen. Anyone who thinks it won't happen is delusional.

Why will it happen? Because that, my friends, is a fight that I would pay 50 dollars for, and I....am the very casual boxing fan.

If the boxing powers don't make that fight happen, then they are idiots.

[mh2365]

Hatton has fought two great fighters in their prime and gotten exposed each time ... add in the questionable decision against Collazo and the "tying his shoe" incident against Lazcano and maybe people start seeing Hatton for what he is, a little better than average one-dimensional fighter.

Plus after Mayweather he might be quite chinny now. Since Mayweather, Lazcano had him on queer street and Pac Man dropped him 3 times. Malinaggi doesn't really count since he couldn't KO my 1 year old niece.

[bulletsponge]

i agree. Pacman vs Money May is the biggest fight out there. and theres 1 things promoters want over anything else, and thats $$$. it will happen

[DeToxRox]

I think Floyd vs Pac will shatter all types of PPV records for boxing. People are clamoring for that big fight. I still think Floyd will win though, but we'll see how he looks vs Marquez.

Either way though, Money vs Pac will be off the charts.

[tucker342]

I can't wait for Floyd vs Pac but first I can't wait for the Floyd vs Marquez fight. I'm looking forward to seeing Floyd in the ring again.

[mrsimperless]

Watched it live in a casino in Glasgow last night. Manny did not look prepared. But was fun to watch.

[Emiliano]

Saw this yesterday: what a beating. I honestly felt sorry (as someone who practises and loves boxing) for Hatton: as I suspected, he had no place in that ring. Pacquiao was "too everything": too fast, too powerful, and obviously too skilled. With all the respect, Hatton hasn't even beat half the fighters Pacquiao has. Of course he's a very good fighter (although I don't like his style), but a not a top-notch one. That knockout is one you remember for the rest of your career, if it doesn't end it...

Pacquiao, just wow. In the 20 years I follow boxing, I don't think I've ever saw a fighter so accurate with his shots. Amazing, really. Now bring the "Pretty Boy" on, it's about time.