For Floyd Mayweather Sr., it doesn?t matter where he and Ricky Hatton will set up training camp for the all-important May 2 clash with Manny Pacquiao.
“It wouldn?t matter,” Mayweather told BULLETIN-TEMPO yesterday from his Las Vegas home when told about the British banger?s wish that they spend most of his training time in Manchester then relocate to Las Vegas in the last four weeks leading to the fight at the MGM Grand.
And in his usual display of bravado, Mayweather said that Hatton will be even deadlier against Pacquiao, boasting that if ringsiders thought his fighter was simply superb when he mauled the fleet-footed Italian-American Paulie Malignaggi (last year), wait until Hatton gets his hands on the Filipino puncher.
“Bad news for the Pacman, bad news for (Freddie) Roach,” hollered Mayweather, who is traveling to England to take part in the promotional tour of London and Manchester beginning this Friday until Monday.
“Ricky will be even better this time,” added Mayweather, whose forte in training are defense and pinpoint punching.
After the tour, Mayweather and Hatton, who turns 31 in October, will begin working out together with training assistant Lee Beard on hand as well.
Mayweather expects Hatton to be more accurate with his punches and in superior physical condition against Pacquiao, traits that are crucial in helping the Englishman topple the world?s pound-for-pound king.
Meanwhile, Richard Schaefer, the right-hand man of Oscar De La Hoya at Golden Boy Promotions, revealed that a “huge outdoor even on Saturday in Manchester” should draw 20,000 fans with Hatton and Pacquiao in attendance.
Schaefer will rendezvous with his counterpart at Top Rank, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and members of Team Pacquiao for the UK press gig.
Arum said Pacquiao will be filmed while visiting London?s landmarks on Friday and will come face to face with Hatton the following day in Manchester when the Filipino?s entourage goes there by train for the 263-kilometer journey.
“On Sunday, Manny will go to a church frequented by many Filipinos then he visits the (Philippine) Embassy,” said Arum.
Just before Pacquiao and Arum and the rest head back to the States, a press conference will be staged in London on Monday.
“Then it?s all business for Manny at the (Wild Card) gym,” added Arum.
