Now that the agreement for the May 2 superfight has been sealed, Manny Pacquiao?s next assignment with coach Freddie Roach is to devise a strategy against British superstar Ricky Hatton.
“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],” the General Santos native said in a report posted on Mirror.co.uk.
Pacquiao, who is hailed in the Philippine?s as the “National Fist”, said there are several factors to be considered when facing a deadly puncher like Hatton.
“There are concerns because Hatton is a very strong puncher so I must deal with that in the ring,” he said.
The Filipino added that he will be fighting Hatton at 140 pounds, a division he has yet to test.
These factors, Pacquiao said, will make an interesting fight.
“I always like new challenges, which is the reason I am anxious to fight Ricky Hatton? Sabik na sabik na akong bumalik sa training (I?m excited to get back in training),” said the hard-hitting southpaw.
Training starts after tour
Pacquiao said he will immediately jump back to gym once they finish the tour being scheduled by promotional outfits Top Rank and Golden Boy, which are handling the staging of the fight.
He said the formal announcement will be made in United Kingdom on the third week of February.
“Pupunta ako, kasama ng aking koponan, sa UK sa ikatlong linggo ng Pebrero mula sa Pilipinas via US… Siguradong malaking exposure ito para sa sport ng boxing (Me and me team will fly to UK on the third week of February via US? it will surely be a big exposure for the sport of boxing),” he said in his PhilBoxing.com column “Kumbinasyon.
From UK, the tour will continue in New York, Los Angeles and other US cities after the press conference in UK.
?We?ll get Pac in one?
Facing Hatton won?t be a walk in the park for Pacquiao, according to the British?s trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.
The controversial boxing coach said Pacquiao will have to run, or else he will be knocked out in round one.
“Ricky?s going to be physically, mentally, spiritually strong. Manny Pacquiao?s chances are slim and none. If he doesn?t run, we?ll get him in one,” Mayweather told Dennis Principe of SportsNews.ph.
Mayweather?s reaction was a reply to Roach?s prediction of a KO win for the Filipino should Pacquiao brawl with Hatton.
“Ricky will either knock him out or give him a terrible ass whoopin?. More than likely Ricky?s gonna knock him out. So all Manny can do is run but even if he runs he won?t win,” said Hatton?s trainer.
Pacquiao to get doctorate degree
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is set to accept an honorary doctorate degree from Southwestern University.
The boxer said in his PhilBoxing.com column “Kumbinasyon” that Commission on Higher Education chairman Emmanuel Angeles himself will hand over the Doctor of Human Kinetics, Honoris Causa, award on February 18.
“Hindi ko minsan ma-imagine na natatamo ko ang mga ganitong parangal (I never imagined in my life receiving these honors),” said Pacquiao.
