Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao left Manila for a three-day promotional tour in the United Kingdom of his upcoming fight against Ricky Hatton.
Pacquiao will meet his opponent Ricky Hatton in London to promote their much-awaited match on May 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Philippine pride left Manila with the rest of the Team Pacquiao board a Cathay Pacific flight at 6:30 a.m. He is set to visit Hatton?s hometown in Manchester.
Reports said the promotional tour would include a darts competition between Pacman and the Hitman.
Pacquiao was in high spirit during his farewell party Thursday night. He is excited with his first visit to England as many Filipinos are also waiting for his arrival.
?Maraming mga kababayan natin na tumatawag at tinatanong kung kailan nga kami darating. Excited ako. It’s my first time sa London,? Pacquiao said.
Hatton has a head start with his training in England.
However, Pacquiao is said to be still in top shape since he just had a fight last December. He said eight weeks of training in the US is enough to condition him for the fight against the Hitman.
Pacquiao, who just gave up his World Boxing Lightweight (135 lbs) championship belt, is expecting a tough and exciting match with Hatton in the super lightweight (140 lbs) division.
?Nahirapan na kasi ako sa 135 (lbs.) pero 140 ok, ganito talaga ang magandang weight ko,? he said. — Reports from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN
