GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? Even before the fight is sealed, trainer Freddie Roach has already laid out the fight plan against Ricky ?The Hitman? Hatton.
?Manny should utilize his footwork,? said Roach before leaving this tuna capital where he stayed overnight to attend Manny Pacquiao?s birthday party Wednesday evening at the KCC Convention Center here.
Roach was scheduled to fly back to Los Angeles on board a Philippine Airlines flight last night along with Top Rank chief and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum
?Hatton?s a tremendous body puncher,? said Roach who laid out a perfect plan that helped Pacquiao destroy Oscar dela Hoya in eight rounds last Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Roach said Pacquiao?s speed will once again be the key, and to maximize this potential the Pinoy pound-for-pound king should further work harder on his footwork.
?And Manny should stay off the ropes,? said Roach. He added that Pacquiao would no less than eight weeks to prepare for his next fight ? whoever it may be.
Arum said initial talks with the camp has began although Internet reports quoted someone close to the pride of Manchester that nothing has ever been touched.
Even the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr. has denied reports that the former pound-for-pound champion is all set to come out of retirement to fight either Pacquiao or Hatton.
?I don?t know where that came from because no one from our side has spoken to them. I have not spoken to Gareth (Williams, Hatton?s lawyer) and I have not spoken to Ray Hatton,? said Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather?s adviser.
?Anytime you mention Floyd?s name in anything it?s massive. I understand why people mention Floyd?s name. But all I can say is that Floyd is enjoying his retirement,? said Ellerbe.
Arum wants Hatton, the king of the 140-pound division, as Pacquiao?s next opponent, and has even penciled May 2 as the day of the fight.
If it happens, it will take place in Las Vegas, either the Thomas and Mack Center or Planet Hollywood, and not the Wembley Stadium in England.
Pacquiao will soon be back in Manila as he prepares to fly back to LA next week to join his pregnant wife Jinkee. He leaves with their three other kids, and will spend Christmas in the US.
