MANILA, Philippines?Manny Pacquiao kidded around as soon as he made what was perhaps the boldest prediction in his battle with Ricky Hatton so far.
?I?m just an ordinary fighter but I can beat a good fighter,? Pacquiao told reporters Friday night before bursting into laughter.
Pacquiao, though, did acknowledge Hatton, known as ?the Hitman? for his knockout abilities, as a tougher opponent than Oscar De La Hoya and David Diaz.
Pacquiao, the world?s top pound-for-pound fighter, and Hatton, the world?s top 140-lb boxer, square off on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
?I consider this my hardest fight because Hatton is also a strong and excellent boxer,? said Pacquiao, who knocked out both De La Hoya and Diaz.
?I cannot be overconfident,? added the Gen. Santos City native, who was named Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Year Friday night.
Meanwhile, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said he is not bothered by Hatton?s decision not to hold the entire eight-week training camp in Las Vegas, where his trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., is based.
Saying he didn?t want to be away from his loved ones and his football team, Hatton said he will spend the first four weeks of training in England.
Schaefer is confident that Mayweather Sr. will whip Hatton into the best shape of his life for the Pacquiao fight.
?Mayweather also wants to show that he can train a fighter to beat Pacquiao,? said Schaefer. ?One thing the Mayweathers have is an incredible will to win.?
