The first encounter of Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao and Ricky ?The Hitman? Hatton ended in a draw–not in the boxing arena, but in a board game, a favorite pastime by the Brits.
The darts competition between Pacquiao and Hatton drew a lot of fun and laughter.
It was held in the historic New Inn Club, one of the oldest English pubs in Manchester formerly owned by the Hatton family.
Only a few mediamen were invited in the private party, barely two hours after the public appearance by both fighters at the Trafford Centre.
Hatton won the first regular 501 dart game, but Pacquiao bounced back on the second game, this time the Manchester ball, another form of dart game especially designed by the Brits.
Both players were sharp and focused in both games.
After the game, both players receive football shirts from the organizers, with the names Pacman and Hitman printed at the back.
Pacquiao was given a dart board with the signatures of some great British sportsmen who visited the pub.
Even the trainers of both fighters, Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr., also exhibited their prowess in the game of dart.
Both Pacquiao and Hatton gave separate exclusive interviews with the ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau. They gave contrasting views on their gameplan for the May 2 showdown in Las Vegas, Nevada.
?I used to attack with no thoughts. This time i’ll be moving my head. I’ll be jabbing. I’ll be changing the angles. i’ll be picking shots off along with the body shot I’ve been famous for,? Hatton said.
?Si Ricky Hatton suntok ng suntok na boksingero at sugod ng sugod. Malakas din at hindi natin pwedeng i-underestimate. Kailangang mabilis na footworks, head movement lahat ng kailangang gawin pwedeng gawin,? said Pacquiao.
The two players appear to be very close as they joked around while playing darts.
But the May 2 encounter will surely bring out the beast in them as they slug it out inside the ring.
