LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – IBO light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton has no reason to fear Manny Pacquiao’s renowned speed when the pair clash in Las Vegas on Saturday, according to boxing great Oscar De La Hoya.
“I’ve seen Ricky fight and he has speed himself,” the 10-time world champion told Reuters on Thursday at the fight venue, the MGM Grand Hotel.
“There is speed and there is power with Hatton … I don’t know how much power Manny Pacquiao is going to present to Hatton or how it is going to affect him because Hatton is a solid 140-pounder.
“He walks around at 160, 165 and I was telling Ricky: ‘Look, the punches weren’t hard.'”
De La Hoya, who retired earlier this month, lost to Filipino Pacquiao in the eighth round of their non-title welterweight contest in Las Vegas four months ago.
“Obviously Pacquiao fought a shadow of me in December and come Saturday night he is going to fight a solid fighter who is going to take the punch and is going to give it back,” the 36-year-old said.
“So it’s not just Manny’s speed. I think it’s going to be Hatton’s speed and power.”
De La Hoya, who posted a win-loss record of 39-6 including 30 knockouts, backed Hatton to beat Pacquiao inside 12 rounds.
“I can’t see it going full distance,” he said. “I really do like Ricky in the later rounds. And also the fact that he has Floyd Mayweather Sr. is going to make a big difference.”
NATURAL WEIGHT
Hatton, who has not lost at his natural weight of 140 pounds, linked up with trainer Mayweather Snr. last year before going on to beat American Paulo Malignaggi in November to retain his IBO light-welterweight belt.
“I did see a lot of great things in the last fight with Malignaggi and I was very impressed,” added De La Hoya. “We can only go up from here.
“I know for a fact this fight is going to exceed all expectations … People want to watch this fight not because of the fighters’ abilities, not because they can fight and have come to give fans an exciting fight, but because of respect.
“People respect what Pacquiao and Hatton can do in the ring.”
(Editing by Ian Ransom)
