THE WEIGH-IN
The build-up continues. Ray Hatton excitedly tells us that 25,000 fans have travelled and t-shirts and Hatton masks are selling out here at the MGM Grand where it is impossible to move – it is like being in a packed shopping centre on a Saturday at The Trafford Centre.
More and more Filipino fans are also beginning to filter in – including a group of children in Pacman outfits.
The weigh-in was full, around 6000 fans bringing with them their beery mirth and fervent belief in their talisman and idol.
HATTON – weighs in dead on 140lbs.
He looked very tight on the weight, lean in the face. He’ll be 148-150 lbs this time tomorrow.
“I never struggle making the weight. That may shock people – with the amount of weight I put on (in between fights) but I always do a 12-week training camp and I do it properly. “I’ll be ready tomorrow. Size and strength will be a big factor in the fightl I’m boxing better now, creating angles and my handspeed is improving. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be confident. “The key is to make him miss and make him pay. That’s what we’ve been working on.”
MANNY – weighs in at 138lbs. Will most likely put on 5 to 7 lbs for tomorrow night.
“I feel strong, we don’t know yet what way it’s going to go or what’s going to happen but I’ll do my best. “I am still hungry for this fight as i was for the last fight (de lay Hoya). I feel the pressure a bit but I have to do my best, do my job in the ring and make people happy. “Ricky is not easy to fight, he’s a strong, good fighter and I don’t want to underestimate him.”
Let’s just hope accidental cuts don’t intervene in the early rounds to have what should be a riveting fight declared a no-contest. May the best man win, and as I have made public, I believe it will be Pacquiao.
The head says so. But the heart does go out to Hatton, great man, friend of the people, salt of the earth. Great British sporting hero. If he can pull this off, it will have been against the odds.
