In the first round Hatton moved in aggressively against Pacquiao and immediately worked the inside. Both traded punches, with the Englishman landing frequently in the first 40 seconds until Pacquiao countered with a left hand. Suddenly, as Hatton lunged in, a Pacquiao right hook to the chin dropped him to his knees.

Hatton got up shakily but beat the count. With less than 30 seconds left in the round, a left hand dropped Hatton again near his own corner. He beat the count and the round ended.

His next fight, he did the impossible, ruined my birthday and knocked out the then seemingly untouchable featherweight kingpin (and my favorite boxer, of the time) Marco Antonio Barrera. Now title changed hands, but he was the best featherweight in the world.

Immediately after testing Barrera, he jumped in with an unsung Mexican pugilist by the name of Juan Manuel Marquez and quickly dumped the master boxer three times in the first round en route to a memorable draw.

The following year, Tijuana toughman Erik Morales took a spirited decision from him. Some who thought he was over-rated, felt the end was near for the rising star.

“You know, Mayweather, he could’ve fought Manny Pacquiao. He just had to wait one day. I think he’s scared of Pacquiao,” Roach said during the postfight news conference. “He chose Marquez. We’re not going to wait around. I like to keep Manny busy. A busy fighter is a good fighter.”

Pacquiao took a more diplomatic approach when asked about Mayweather by ESPN’s Jaime Motta.

“For me, I can fight anybody at 147 (pounds), or I can fight at 140, but he’s got an upcoming fight with Marquez, and we’ll see after the fight,” Pacquiao said.

“In the first round I expected my right hook would be dangerous for him because I knew he would come forward with his hands down. He was wary of my left hook, but I have a new technique: the right hook.

“On the first knockdown, the right hook you saw we worked on every day in the gym.”

The 30-year-old native of the Philippines floored Hatton three times in the bout, the final one an incredible powerful left hook to the chin that moved Hatton’s head as if on swivel. The “Hitman” hit the canvas with such force, and referee Kenny Bayless counted Hatton out with one second remaining in the round.

Hatton remained on the canvas, motionless in the middle of the ring before receiving medical attention and exiting the arena floor.

It didn’t take long for Manny Pacquiao to make a statement with Ricky Hatton. With 7 seconds left in the second round, Hatton hit the canvas hard and never got back up. The ref had no choice but to wave the fight off.

Round one saw Hatton hit the canvas twice. Although Hatton made it up both times, he was in some bad shape. He came out a little more cautious in the second round, but as the round was near it’s end, Pacquaio landed hard on Hatton’s chin and sent Hatton down hard. Hatton never had a chance of getting back up.

After the fight, it took a few minutes before Hatton was allowed up. he left the ring and refused to speak with HBO commentator Larry Merchant. Hatton was not feeling well enough to be in front of the cameras.

Pacquiao was on fire tonight and he was untouchable. It seemed clear after the first round, Hatton never had a chance.

“That was my strategy, left hook and right hook, that was going to be the key to this fight,” Pacquiao said in the ring afterward. “I expected my right hook to be dangerous for him.”

Pacquiao showed against Hatton that he is the most dangerous man in boxing. He’s the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, and right now — even though Floyd Mayweather is back — there’s no question about that.

In the first, Ricky went low with a right immediately. He got in his face, and stayed there. Manny banged with the right nicely. The Brit mauled and brawled, and clinched copiously. A gorgeous right hook sent Hatton down and he was up at 45 seconds left. He was down again at the end of the first, off a left that hit off Hatton’s glove into his face. He got up at eight and the bell clanged. Wow is the best, if pedestrian, word to use at that display. In the second, Hatton landed a left. Manny’s right worked still, though. A left dropped Hatton hard at the end of the round, and Hatton was done, stick a fork in him.
The main subplot entering the bout was the trainer vs. trainer angle, with top P4P honors being up for grabs in the minds of many. Freddie Roach, who has overseen the transformation of Manny from a one handed swarmer into a two fisted technician over an eight-year span, put some distance between he and Floyd Mayweather Sr with Pacquiao’s victory.

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton with a left hook in the second round of their bout to grab the the IBO light welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

In the very first round Pacquiao sent the Brit down twice with stinging hooks, first with a left and then with a right.

The victory makes Pacquiao a six-time world champ in five weight divisions and kept him as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Before the fight, sports analysts Ed Picson and Ed Tolentino were one in saying that the Battle of the East and West would be a brutal fight, but Pacquiao’s speed might once again lead him to victory and cement his reputation as the world’s pound-for-pound king of boxing.

Martin Nievera, wearing a T-shirt designed by the late rapper Francis Magalona, broke tradition by being the first male to sing the Philippine National Anthem in a Pacquiao bout.

He was followed by pop icon Sir Tom Jones, who sang “God Save the Queen,” the British National Anthem, and Fil-Am Jasmine Villegas, who sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the US National Anthem.

The bout was witnessed by a star-studded audience that includes Oscar de la Hoya, Jack Nicholson, and Mariah Carey.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to this pre boxing fight, along with in-depth interviews, as these determined warriors, both making their second “24/7″ appearance, prepare for the first mega-fight of 2009.

Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao break camp and head to Las Vegas for their final fight week activities as the May 2 Jr. welterweight showdown approaches. The finale comes for the four-episode series “Pacquiao vs Hatton 24/7″ (9:30-10:00 p.m.) in anticipation of Saturday’s bout.

Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Episode 4 HBO Part 1 of 2

Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Episode 4 HBO Part 2 of 2

Triumph, and Hatton, the lad from Hyde, will be carried out on the shoulders of his adoring fans. But it remains a long shot, even though this fistic meeting has clear imponderables on either side, involving both style and substance. Strategy will be key in this fight, in a great match of styles between two men who leave everything they have in the ring.

The backdrop to this contest - for the IBO and ’The Ring’ light-welterweight titles - is that Pacquiao is being adopted as the home fighter in the United States, and has been installed as a huge favourite. Even Bill Clinton visited Pacquiao in the desert city this week, alongside other dignitaries.

8. Sugar Shane Mosley, reigning WBA welterweight champion (speaking to Sky Sports): “I think they match up pretty well. It’s going to be a great fight, with Manny Pacquiao being the better boxer and Ricky Hatton being a little stronger. I’m kind of leaning towards Pacquiao right now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Hatton pulls it off. He’s been looking very good in training and I think he’s going to do a good job.”

9. Vinny Maddalone, heavyweight fan favourite (speaking to this writer): “I know Pacquiao’s the favourite, but I’ve got to go with Ricky. Ricky’s hungry and I think he’ll stop Pacquiao late in the fight. I think he’s improved under Floyd Mayweather Senior. He has more head movement and a batter defence now. Ricky’s whole thing is pressure, and pressure can change a guy’s whole game-plan. Pacquio has all the heart in the world, but I go with Hatton in around the ninth or tenth round.”

10. Claude Abrams, editor Boxing News magazine: (predicting in the magazine) “I wouldn’t be surprised if both men were to hit the floor or get wobbled. We shouldn’t eliminate the possibility of cuts, either. Hatton hasn’t suffered serious injuries as of late, but Pacquio often wades in, head down and carelessly. Assuming injuries do not play a significant part, I foresee a fabulous battle. I lean towards the man with the superior mobility and agility to use his stiff hitting, southpaw awkwardness, accuracy, handspeed and volume to prevail in a battle I suspect we will be talking about for years to come.”

I guess that's why Pacquiao's mystique is so extraordinary. Even Hollywood writers would get the boot for writing such an unbelievable story. Pacquiao's exploits make Rocky seem ordinary. We're talking about a kid who started his career having to carry steel in his pockets during weigh-ins just to make the minimum weight to fight. That same kid became the sport's biggest superstar. I know we always hear stories about fighters using boxing as their tool out of poverty, but Manny's is on a totally different level. And yet, despite accomplishing so much and making even more financially, he still has that same genuine smile and humility he displayed the first time any one of us saw him.

Pacquiao embarrassed Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003, at a time when Barrera was at the height of hispowers. You take away a flash knockdown in the first round, and Pacquiao blanked Barrera as he did De La Hoya five years later.

He embarrassed Erik Morales twice in 2006, the second time so completely that Morales stayed on the deck as the referee tolled the 10 count. Making a proud Mexican champion willingly pack it in takes some doing.

Pacquiao is an all-time great who is a sure-shot for the Hall of Fame. He probably is the greatest Asian fighter in boxing history.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to this pre boxing fight, along with in-depth interviews, as these determined warriors, both making their second “24/7″ appearance, prepare for the first mega-fight of 2009.

Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao break camp and head to Las Vegas for their final fight week activities as the May 2 Jr. welterweight showdown approaches. The finale comes for the four-episode series “Pacquiao vs Hatton 24/7″ (9:30-10:00 p.m.) in anticipation of Saturday’s bout.

Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Episode 4 HBO Part 1 of 2

Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Episode 4 HBO Part 2 of 2

Pacquiao’s 2007 campaign for a congressional seat to represent the first district of South Cotabato was far from a pleasant experience. Not only did he lose the election and a lot of money, his bid was unpopular with many Filipinos who didn’t want their hero wallowing in the quagmire of Filipino politics.

One insider with links to the current administration told THE RING that Pacquiao’s first bid for political office was motivated by more than his sincere wish to help his people. Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo needed the seat in her party’s camp to help maintain a grip on power, and Pacquiao was allegedly told it was time to pay back some favors.

It is also the unique position Pacquiao holds in Filipino society that would make a loss on Saturday night tougher on him than it would on his opponent. While Hatton has the hearts of his followers in his hands, Pacquiao seems to have fought his way into the very souls of his compatriots.

“I respect Ricky Hatton. He is a good person. He is a nice guy and I would like to remind everyone that there is nothing personal for this fight and we are just doing our job to give a good fight to the people and make them happy.

Pacquiao also said he wanted to make the people of his native Philippines proud as well as his family. The ‘Pac Man’ added: “Specifically to the Filipino people who are looking for a victory on Saturday, I will do my best to bring honor to our country.

By Lance Pugmire

Ricky Hatton weighed in at the junior-welterweight limit of 140 pounds Friday at the weigh-in for his Saturday night showdown against Manny Pacquiao at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao came in at 138 pounds, prompting his trainer, Freddie Roach, to glance at the scale in surprise after reporting earlier that Pacquiao had awakened at 138 and was allowed to eat breakfast.

“When Manny eats, he’s very happy,” Roach said.

Pacquiao took to flexing after weighing in, thrilling a large throng of his fans in the capacity crowd of about 6,000 in the arena. Hatton’s crowd was larger and more vocal, singing, “There’s only one Ricky Hatton,” to the tune of “Winter Wonderland,” along with “God Save the Queen.” read more

MANNY PACQUIAO

- Pacquiao has the advantages in both speed and technical skills, giving great angles, along with excellent lateral movement, and throwing a much higher volume of punches than Hatton.

- “Pac Man” possesses a heat-seeking left and a potent right hook. And even though Hatton has been taught better head movement by his new trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., it may not be enough for Ricky to avoid getting hit.

- Rarely moving backward, Pacquiao can go to war when the occasion demands-for references see his fights against Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales.

- Pacquiao comes into this fight after one-sided “ass whuppings” of David Diaz and Oscar De La Hoya. And knows that a victory over Hatton could pave the way for a fight for boxing’s pound-for-pound supremacy with Floyd Mayweather Jr., giving him added confidence and incentive.

You know the scenario, it’s happened countless times in sports. A team comes up with a brilliant performance in a big game, but then falls flat on their face in their very next outing. Either they are emotionally spent from the previous effort, fall prey to complacency, or a combination of both. In the immediate aftermath of the initial victory, while everyone else - from friends, family, fans and the media - lavishes the victors with praise, it’s up to the coaches to bring them back down to earth and to get their troops to refocus on the upcoming task.

That was the job of one Freddie Roach, who guided Manny Pacquiao to his career-defining victory over Oscar De La Hoya last December. It was a victory that propelled ‘the Pac Man’ to unprecedented levels of popularity and influence. This Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, he faces the hard-charging Ricky Hatton for the jr. welterweight championship of the world.

Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines said he is ready to square off with popular British boxer Ricky Hatton this Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Nevada. His trainer, Freddie Roach is confident Pacquiao will win.
Freddie Roach, the award-winning coach and trainer of popular Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, announced that the Filipino boxing icon is ready to face Ricky Hatton of England this Saturday.

Roach said that he has never seen Pacquiao trained so hard for a boxing fight as he predicted that a knock out win for his favorite ward.

Morales turns 33 in September and currently has a career record of 48-6 with 34 knockouts. He is a Hall of Famer no matter if he comes back or not, at least in my mind. His trilogy with Barrera was one of boxing’s greatest, fiercest rivalries, and his trilogy with Pacquiao was a sight to behold as well.

I know some people want to hope for the best and go, “Well he looked pretty good against David Diaz, I thought he even won that fight.” That’s fine — he was competitive.

But he was competitive against David Diaz, a guy Morales would have eaten for breakfast when he was at his best. Seven months later, Diaz would get tested by a pro sparring partner when he fought a stay-busy bout with Roman Montano, and then three months after that he got so thoroughly destroyed by Pacquiao that he admitted mid-fight that there was nothing he could do. Tough guy, gutsy guy, nice guy, funny guy — not a great fighter.

By WIRE SERVICES
Manny Pacquiao is hoping to do what he did his last time in the ring, which is give his opponent a real beating. Oddsmakers feel he will, making the Philippines’ national hero a 2-1 favorite over English challenger Ricky Hatton in their 12-round light welterweight bout Saturday at …