Mayweather dismissed the issues. “It doesn’t mean that the camp wasn’t a good camp because people had their problems,” Mayweather told reporters in a round table discussion for trainers at the MGM Grand Hotel on Thursday.

“I think we had a good camp. Was there a problem there? Yes. But I will say right here that the camp was good.”

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach earlier told reporters that Mayweather had been late for at least one of Hatton’s sparring sessions. “I think it’s a slap in the face for a trainer to show up late for a training session with a world champion,” Roach said.

“Manny is not a master defensive fighter (unlike Floyd Mayweather Jr.). He (Pacquiao) is a good all-around fighter, but nobody can defend like Floyd Jr. and Ricky didn’t have any problems finding Mayweather and closing the gap,” said Lee Beard, who serves as Hatton’s assistant trainer.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. is the lead trainer of Hatton and it was his son, Floyd Jr., who dealt Hatton his only loss in 46 fights.

“He isn’t as good as Floyd defensively. Nobody is. He’s a brilliant defensive fighter. He is nowhere as near as Floyd defensively. Manny can run, but he can’t defend as good as Floyd defends.”

by Jim Amato
As rough and tumble Ricky Hatton gets set to enter into the ring with Manny Pacquiao this weekend, I am reminded of another tough battler from across the pond (N.B. Jim Amato, the writer, is BBN’s American cousin).
He may not have reached the heights of Hatton but …

Posted by Ramon Aranda
We’re only one day away from the biggest fight of the year and rather than just providing a simple preview, we thought it was a perfect time for another boxing roundtable.
In this roundtable discussion, we’ll give our take on each fighter’s chances to win and ultimately …

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - IBO light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton has no reason to fear Manny Pacquiao’s renowned speed when the pair clash in Las Vegas on Saturday, according to boxing great Oscar De La Hoya.

“I’ve seen Ricky fight and he has speed himself,” the 10-time world champion told Reuters on Thursday at the fight venue, the MGM Grand Hotel.

“There is speed and there is power with Hatton … I don’t know how much power Manny Pacquiao is going to present to Hatton or how it is going to affect him because Hatton is a solid 140-pounder.

The outcome of this fight will be determined by distance. Whoever can establish it and control it will win. Hatton will be at his best if he can close the distance and impose his size and strength on Pacquiao on the inside. If he can back Pacquiao to the ropes, he can dish out punishment. If he can’t get inside, he’s going to get punished by the quicker, sharper, busier puncher. Hatton will be careful in the early rounds as he tries to employ some of Mayweather’s technique to get in close without getting caught with anything flush. Pacquiao should enjoy success early on using his feet as much as his hands to keep a healthy distance between Hatton and himself, while he peppers the champ with jabs and straight shots to the body. Hatton will land a few counter shots as Pacquiao darts in, which will set off heated exchanges that thrill the crowd. However, as the fight continues, the more consistent offense from Pacquiao — to the body and head — will tell on Hatton, whose form and technique will break down with fatigue, setting him up for a late-rounds stoppage that is eerily similar to the one he suffered to Mayweather Jr.

Prediction: Pacquiao wins by ninth-round TKO.

This is a fight that needs to resemble Ali-Frazier moreso than Hagler-Leonard if you are Ricky Hatton. The reason I make that point in contrast is because during the Hagler-Leonard bout, there were plenty of times during the fight where Leonard actually won the exchanges when he was against the ropes or in the corner (not that Hagler fans freely admit that). Lookout if Pacquiao can get away with that tactic. Ali, on the other hand, either had to hold Frazier to neutralize his big left hook, or use up his stamina and energy by being forced to get away. Leonard was much more comfortable when forced to fight Hagler off the ropes than Ali was versus Frazier, due to Marvin lacking the big hook or finishing punch during his fight with Leonard. Hatton needs to be able to move Pacquiao around and make him go where he needs him to. To accomplish this, Ricky needs to have a big enough gun that when he lands cleanly, Pacquiao realizes he can’t stay there for long and take a steady diet of shots.

Hatton said that he’s not afraid of Pacquiao. Pacquiao has only lost once in the past ten years. Hatton has only been defeated once in his whole career.

But the difference in this fight is weight, according to Hatton. While Pacquiao has more fights under his belt, he’s only fought twice above the 130-pound weight class. Meanwhile, Hatton has fought in the Junior Welterweight and Welterweight division most of his career.

“He hasn’t fought anyone that’s going to be as ferocious, as powerful and as explosive as me,” said Hatton. “I’m aware of [Pacquiao’s] power but really should I be scared of a man who has only fought two fights above 130 pounds. That’s not disrespecting Manny. I know he can hit but you know I’ve fought as high as 154 pounds the past four years.”

Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, a great British fighter and a Filipino master, meeting on US soil, is not unique. There are parallels, no less, with the fistic frenzy expected of Hatton v Pacquiao at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Saturday night.

Back in 1923, a contest took place between two formidable leading prize fighters pertaining from the British and Philippine islands, on neutral ground in the United States. In 1923, ‘Pancho Villa’ became the first Filipino world champion in history when he defeated Welshman Jimmy Wilde, at flyweight, in 1923, at the Polo Grounds, in New York.

Hatton probably is best known on these shores for his only defeat, by 10th-round technical knockout to Mayweather on Dec. 8, 2007, but he is, like Pacquiao, an action fighter who delivers lots of bang for the buck, or the pound sterling. Few British fighters ever have been as popular in the UK as is Hatton, and his willingness to cross the pond signals his eagerness to expand his base.

“I was supposed to be this overhyped, overprotected guy who only wanted to stay in Manchester (England),” Hatton said. “It would have been very easy to stay in the safety zone of my hometown. Everyone should come to you when you’re No. 1 in your division, but I wanted to prove to critics I didn’t need to stay in my comfort zone.”

Thinking things through logically, I am inclined to believe Hatton should emerge victorious. In fact, if this was Manny’s first fight since Diaz, I would be certain that, barring some freakishly unforeseen circumstance, Hatton’s victory would be inevitable. Even that he did beat De La Hoya, I understand that this fight changes very little because De La Hoya was no longer the same fighter, so I would still be inclined to predict a Hatton victory. Regardless of this, Pacquiao seems to be one of those special fighters whose unique set of skills, instincts, desire, and raw talent can enable him to overcome obstacles like being at a natural size disadvantage. He may not be as fast, as strong, or as technically sound as Mayweather, who was able to stop Hatton with a perfectly timed hook, but he is almost as strong, almost as fast, and unlike Floyd, Pacquiao is relentless in his efforts to inflict damage upon his opponent.

In the end, perhaps against my better judgment, I think Pacquiao’s advantages in speed and hunger see him to victory in a closely contested battle that sees Ricky begin to fade in the middle rounds. Through this point, many will be shocked by Pacquiao’s ability to take a punch and they will be equally shocked by how easily Pacquiao gets his punches off. A distinct advantage in hand speed will become apparent early on. As we enter the later rounds, Hatton’s work rate will be noticeably slower and there will be less snap on his punches, as Pacquiao begins finding the mark with his power shots with much more frequency. The accumulation of sharp blows from Pacquiao will prove too much for Hatton, as the bout is mercifully stopped in the middle of the 10th round.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena here has long since sold out its 14,000 seats. The gate will bring in $9 million (£6 million), while the promotion, overall, is expected to bring in £40 million.

Ringside seats will be resold for thousands of dollars. To cater for extra demand, closed circuit screens having been set up at seven other casinos along the strip, with seat tickets priced at $50. Such is the demand for the two most popular fighters in the world, seats were always going to be at a premium. Fans float like ghosts around the lobby of the MGM Grand, looking for that golden ticket.

Pacquiao is followed by an entire nation and the Philippines will grind to a halt when the two little men with huge hearts stage their electric dance. When the two men opened formal proceedings this week, known as ‘The Grand Arrival’, the supporters turned out in force.

He feeds the poor at his home in the Philippines, and took to boxing when his father ate his pet dog. Ahead of his Ricky Hatton bout, James Lawton meets the extraordinary fighter

“Manny,” says Roach, “was knocked out twice as a flyweight many years ago, one occasion he couldn’t make the weight. It is not relevant now, because Manny Pacquiao has amazing strength and speed – the power comes from that speed and those legs.”

There is also that look which comes into the eyes of the man now saluted as boxing’s best pound-for-pound performer. It is appropriate for many reasons, not least that it is owned by a man born on the edge of a volcano who, here for the next few days at least, has reason to believe he has arrived at the centre of the world.

“You’re going to find that our camp is a little more restrained. Just remember, Freddie Roach, Manny’s trainer, is training the future president of the Philippines.

“He (Roach) is the best trainer in the sport of boxing, more than just that, there has to be a great bond between a trainer and fighter and that is not something that comes into effect with one training period. It is built up over the years as they go into battle together time after time after time.

“People wonder why this fight is becoming the success that it is. I think there is one reason that has made this the event that it is and that is that people have learned about Manny Pacquiao.

Basic boxing could win this fight for Pacquiao. To walk away with a victory, he needs to use his ring smarts and fight at his effective punching range by keeping Hatton at the end of his one-two-hook and using a little movement. He needs to use his speed and take advantage of the openings Hatton presents. And he needs to stay out of those inside exchanges, avoid getting hit to the body, and land some body shots of his own.

For Hatton to win this fight, he must take the approach that has worked for him in the past. He needs to use his strength, land his body shots, impose his physicality, make it ugly, and wear him out. It would be a mistake to fight a technical fight, because Pacquiao’s skills are far superior. Hatton also needs to remember to keep his hands up and keep moving his head, because he has been much too hittable in the past.

By P.H. Burbridge
Truly great fights nourish fans and make it possible for us to survive the long and sometimes unforgiving seasons between great match ups. The last fight that had us transfixed for all the right reasons was Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito. The anticipation of two excellent fighters at …

“For this match we felt the need to do what we did for the Oscar DeLaHoya-Manny Pacquiao match, do a long form program to preview the fight. The IBN team worked hard to create what we feel is s special show for the ABBC.” Bernstein said. He added, “In 2009 the ABBC will be doing more of these specials on big matches to continue to provide boxing fans with the programming they deserve.”

The ABBC will also provide full up to the minute coverage of the Pacquiao Hatton match including the May 1st weigh-in and May 2nd post fight press conference, all from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The Al Bernstein Boxing Channel is the only channel anywhere covering only the sport of boxing. The ABBC includes coverage of major matches, previews of big boxing cards, interviews with Boxing’s biggest names and classic highlights from Boxing’s past.

Astonishingly, he won two of those titles in the space of just three months last year, before rounding off 2008 with a non-title demolition of Oscar de la Hoya at welterweight. In an era when making the weight is as much a worry for boxers as being punched, Pacquiao has defied logic.

He began his remarkable 2008 at 9st 4lbs, lifting the WBC’s super-featherweight title with a disputed split decision victory over the gifted Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

Three months later he leapt to the nine-stone lightweight limit to knock out David Diaz in the ninth round for the WBC championship.

And within five months he went up two divisions to face the Golden Boy, Oscar de la Hoya, at the 10 st 7 lbs welterweight limit - and retired the American great for good.

By Tim Keown
Here’s why boxing’s different: The Wild Card Gym, near the intersection of Santa Monica and Vine in Hollywood, is the kind of place no self-respecting professional athlete would willingly enter. It’s a couple of big rooms with one ring, a bunch of hanging bags and a bathroom you’d …

by Mag.com Staff

This Saturday’s Manny Pacquiao v. Ricky Hatton fight is predicted to be the match of the year. You probably already know Ricky from his HBO exploits, but did you Pacquiao ran for a congressional seat in Philippines? He lost, but he doesn’t seem like the quitting type, whether its politics or boxing. To prepare for this fight Manny’s set up shop at Freddie Roach’s infamous Wild Card Gym in L.A. and he’s brought in people like Michael Moorer (former heavyweight champ) to toughen him up smacking him with sticks while he trains. You can see more in the video above.

Embodied within his spirit is a man whose way of life could serve as a template for many of us. Humble in nature, predatory at battle. Away from the ring, Pacquiao’s celebrity has allowed him to indulge in everything from acting, to music, to global endorsements and politics. Looking in the rearview mirror of his career, few highly notables of his era have escaped his wrath. Among that list is a marquee selection of names such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Oscar De La Hoya. Besting that particular group of men who will go down as the greatest of their countries recent era helped Pacquiao earn himself the not so politically correct reputation for being a ‘Mexi-cutioner’. Having accomplished everything he could have ever imagined outside the ring already, Pacquiao’s focus now lies squarely on accomplishing the few things remaining inside the ring. Those previously mentioned names mean a lot, but the addition of British phenom Ricky Hatton and America’s Floyd Mayweather jr. would allow Pacquiao to in effect conquer the ‘world’ by adding the proverbial cherry on top! With the opportunity to do something grand, the defining moments in that evolution are now one step closer. Tune in Saturday night, May 2nd, at 9pm est on HBOPPV to see if Pacquiao can close the gap and help bring his evolution full circle.

virginmedia.com

According to Sun boxing correspondent Colin Hart, Manny Pacquiao will have an easy outing against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas. “He was outclassed by Mayweather and I hate to say it but I think he will also be outclassed by Pacquiao,” Hart told Virgin Media.

“Hatton is not what he was when he fought Kostya Tszyu four or five years ago and Pacquiao is unquestionably the best fighter in the world pound for pound. I think he will be too quick and Hatton is too easy to hit. Pacquiao will enjoy himself against Hatton.”

We believe the keys to this fight for Ricky will be the use of the Double Jab to Manny’s Head and Body. Make the Champ fight backwards and on his heels, Hatton with more Head Movement, disrupting speed with the jab, will feint, pretend to left hook the body, which occasionally he will follow through with to keep Pacquaio honest, will turn that left hook body shot into a uppercut, Pacquaio will try moving to the right and will be greeted by a hook and uppercut. Manny will be forced to fight a well-trained boxer instead of the old Brawler we come to know of Ricky Hatton.

Prediction is Hatton will win with a late round TKO or stoppage around the 8-10 round devasting Pacquaio with the jab and uppercut, head movements and speed of Hatton, taking the title from the once best pound-for-pound fighter now branded product known as “Manny Pacquiao”.

By Gareth A Davies, Boxing Correspondent
Freddie Roach has trained 23 world champions and plots to oversee the unravelling of Ricky Hatton through Filipino Manny Pacquiao here at the MGM Grand on Saturday night.
The feted coach, voted several times as trainer of the year by the sport’s insiders in the United …