If this week’s media tour in the UK is anything to go by, Ricky Hatton’s loyal army of followers may have met their match as thousands of Filipinos came out to see their hero Manny Pacquiao in “The Hitman’s” backyard. “Although it is Hatton’s place, I think Manchester is now ?Mannychester,” Pacquiao joked at the Manchester press conference. The Pac-Man seemed to be somewhat shocked at the large turnout of his fellow countrymen, obviously unaware of the huge Filipino population in Britain. “This is my first time in England. I am very surprised and overwhelmed by the turnout of all of the Filipino people. I would like to thank everyone for turning out. I am amazed by the support I have been shown. I did not expect it in Manchester because this is Ricky’s home town, where I know he is loved. I appreciate my supporters coming to see me. I was surprised to see so many of my people in Manchester. I think Ricky Hatton was surprised to see them too.”
Boxing is not a popularity contest though and no matter how many Pac-fans turn up, they cannot help their man in their ring against Hatton, who has yet to be defeated at 140. A point Hatton made loud and clear. “I am unbeaten at 140 pounds, and believe I am unbeatable at this weight,” claimed the Manchester hero. “The last time I had a chance to fight for the pound-for-pound title, I did okay. I came in second, but fighting before was at 147 pounds and I don’t think I am big enough at that weight. Now I have the chance to fight at 140 pounds and that is my weight.” However Pacquiao feels that weight will not be an issue. “I feel strong at 140, 145, 147. The weight is fine for me”, the Filipino said. “Hatton is bigger than I am but this isn’t about big. It’s about punching hard and being effective”. The bookmakers seem to agree, having installed Pacquiao as an early favourite.
This does not bother Hatton in the slightest, having entered the ring as the underdog in his finest hour thus far. “This reminds me a bit of when I fought Kostya Tsyzu,” added Hatton. “No one gave me a chance against him and that seems like a long time ago.” Many feel however that Hatton caught Tszyu at the right time. This cannot be said of Pacquiao, who is universally recognised as the world’s best boxer and is coming off his biggest victory, forcing modern ring legend Oscar De La Hoya to quit on his stool after eight one-sided rounds. But Hatton argues that win may have flattered the Filipino whirlwind. “He did beat Oscar who is bigger than me, but he (Oscar) had nothing that night. If I had boxed Oscar then I would have beat him even quicker.”
Don’t think for one minute that “The Hitman” is underestimating Pacquiao. Hatton realises to win this fight he must box better than he has ever done before. And he feels he has improved under the guidance of Floyd Mayweather Sr. “When I fought Tsyzu, I bulldozed him into submission. I think you could see from my last fight, with Floyd Mayweather, Sr. and a new team around me, that my style is different and better. I think I proved in my last fight that I have a much better jab, a stronger punch and speed too.” Hatton also revealed a potential weakness that he sees in Pacquiao that he can exploit. “Manny has been floored by body shots and might be vulnerable there”
Pacquiao was not so keen to reveal what flaws he sees in Ricky’s style. “I know what Ricky’s weaknesses are and I have begun to train for them,” Manny said coyly. “His strength is his left uppercut, but I can handle that, too. Hatton hits very hard, has a strong left hand and a good uppercut too. I must and will train very hard.” One thing that stood out from this press conference was the mutual respect Hatton and Pacquiao both have for each other. There was no tiresome trash talk or disrespectful and crass comments. A fight this big doesn’t need to be sold on faux hatred. Come May 2nd, Hatton and Pacquiao will do all their talking in the ring and show why this is the year’s most anticipated fight.
