Ricky ?Hitman? Hatton is of the belief that he can withstand the power of Manny Pacquiao on May 2 and that the Filipino cannot say the same thing.
?He?s been shaken up a few times,? Hatton said, noting that Russian-Australian Kostya Tszyu and the rugged New York-born Puerto Rican Luis Collazo hit him the hardest but they couldn?t finish him off.
And because Pacquiao is so awkward and flawed, Hatton said he will succeed in getting inside without being damaged on the way in.
Once Hatton gets to within inhaling distance, the British banger said Pacquiao is going to feel pain he?s never felt before, getting supreme confidence from the fact that the pound-for-pound king had been knocked out once with a shot to the body.
Hatton likes to brawl and fire body punches in bunches, a trait that earned him the nickname of ?The Manchester Mexican? and Pacquiao?s dislike for being hit on the body will be a major factor that will decide the outcome of the scheduled 12-rounder.
Even Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach acknowledges the fact that Hatton should not be given the opportunity to pin Pacquiao on the ropes.
?That would be the biggest mistake (that Pacquiao can make),? the 49-year-old Roach said.
Still, Roach doesn?t believe Hatton is durable enough to take Pacquiao?s big blows.
?Hatton is not fundamentally sound as a fighter ? he keeps his chin up. He is the perfect opponent for Manny. You?re going to hear a lot of glass breaking when Manny starts playing his chin music concerto on Hatton. You?re going to see who has the chops to play this masterpiece on May 2.?
Hatton has never lost a fight at 140 lbs (junior-welterweight/lightwelterweight/super-lightweight) and his lone loss ? by knockout ? was at 147 lbs (welterweight) against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hatton is in the thick of training in a private gym in Las Vegas.
