Pacquiao vs Hatton: Fighting For Boxing Legendary

Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao matches his speed and deceptive moves against the superior size and power of British star Ricky Hatton today in a long-awaited boxing showdown.

Both 30-year-old fighters are trying to cement their spot in ring history in the junior welterweight matchup, with Pacquiao, 48-3 with two drawn and 35 knockouts, a slight oddsmakers favourite over Hatton, 45-1 with 32 knockouts.

“I’m confident I will win,” Pacquiao said. “I’ve worked hard for the past eight weeks, looked at a lot of his fights, and I’m ready to fight.”

Pacquiao could match the all-time record by becoming a champion in his sixth different weight class by lifting Hatton’s International Boxing Organisation junior welterweight world title after dispatching now-retired six-division champion Oscar de la Hoya.

“It’s very important to me to win a sixth different title,” Pacquiao said. “If it happens, people will put me on the list of the greatest boxing legends.”

Hatton seeks the pound-for-pound crown now held by Pacquiao after dominating the division. The Englishman’s only defeat came in 2007 when he moved up to welterweight and was stopped in the 10th round by US star Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

“One thing fighting Floyd Jnr taught me is you can’t steamroll everybody,” Hatton said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. With my added speed, jab movement, head speed, other things, I’m confident I’m going to win.”

Hatton says he has never been more relaxed or confident before a fight.

“As long as I do what I do best, I believe I’m going to be too much in all areas for Manny,” Hatton said. “I couldn’t be any more positive about the outcome.”

Pacquiao will take home US$12mil from the bout while Hatton is set for an US$8mil payday. Pay-per-view income alone for the megafight is expected to be at least US$40mil.

Well aware of the challenge Hatton presents, Pacquiao said he has never trained harder for a fight in his career.

“Ricky Hatton is a different fighter from what I have fought before,” said Pacquiao. “I expect him to be fast and strong.

“It’s going to be a hard fight.”

“His style is to come at you and throw a lot of punches. He has a strong left hand. I have to take care of that and focus on that.”

Hatton is very familiar with Pacquiao’s elusive footwork and ability to connect quickly and often.