LAST week I met boxing legend and former Light Welterweight and Welterweight champion, Ricky Hatton. Speaking about the much-anticipated Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Manny Pacquiao fight, Ricky said: ‘it could be one of the greatest fights of all time’?’?
The former world champion, Ricky, had not only won titles in two weight divisions, but his titles include the IBO, IBF, The Ring and WBA (Super) Light Welterweight Champion and WBA Welterweight Champion. Famously, when Ricky won the vacant WBC International Light Welterweight title against Jose Luis Castillo, he broke four of his opponent’s ribs by a single punch. In addition, Ricky is one of the fighters who have been in the ring with both Mayweather and Pacquiao. Ricky visited Bahrain as part of an after-dinner speaking event for fans and boxing enthusiasts organized by Sport Speaker MENA.
Ricky had experienced fights with Mayweather and Pacquiao which made him the right person to provide insight onto what each fighter had to offer in the ring. In his fight against Mayweather, Ricky was defeated in a technical knockout in the tenth round, while against Pacquiao he was knocked out in the second round of the fight. The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight is scheduled to take place in May at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and can’t happen any sooner.
Due to Mayweather’s defensive style, Pacquiao’s approach will be crucial in order to add to the entertainment value of the fight, ‘I think if Manny goes on the attack, Floyd will go and pick him off. So, we need Manny to make the fight,’? Ricky said.
He continued, ‘If Manny goes for it, and goes for the knockout, then I think it could be one of the best fights of all time, but Freddie Roach (Manny’s coach) must know that everyone who jumps on his (Floyd) throat, he (Floyd) picks them off.’? If one of the boxers (or both) approached the fight in an aggressive manner, the positive play will make the fight more entertaining.
When asked whether the delay in this fight taking place would have any effect on the fight, Ricky answered: ‘it’s still going to be a wonderful match with two of the best pound for pound fighters in the world.’?
Form is important in boxing, as it is in most sports, because it relates to the athlete’s confidence when performing at the highest level. Going into this fight, Mayweather remains undefeated with an undisputed 47-0 record, while Pacquiao has a 57-5-2 record. Speaking of the fighters’ form leading up to the fight, Ricky said: ‘Manny hasn’t looked so good when he got beaten by (Juan Manuel) Marquez, but he got better with each fight since the Marquez fight. Floyd had two good wins against (Marcos) Maidana, who is a very good fighter, that is a no mean feat beating Maidana, but compared to the usual standards he (Floyd) set himself, you would have to judge them as not as good performances as we are used to from Floyd.’?
On what to expect from both fighters, Ricky said: ‘I think Mayweather is a better fighter, but I think Manny may have the style with his in and out fast hands,’?
He continued, ‘I think he may have the style to beat Floyd, but I think with Floyd no matter what style he faces he always finds a way to win.’?
There was much speculation about whether or not this fight was ever going to take place, Ricky elaborated: ‘I think it would have been a tragedy for boxing if it didn’t take place, because two of the greatest fighters of all time are in the same era in the same weight division.’?
He added, ‘The reason why I went into boxing the first place was to try and beat the best, so I can’t understand why they didn’t want to fight each other, but thankfully they’ve got it (the fight) on now, finally.’?
If anything I can’t wait for this fight to happen. I already marked my calendar for the May 2nd, and it’s definitely worth staying up late for.
