Last nights press conference to promote May 2nd battle between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton turned into a Hollywood red carpet gala affair.
Starting from 6:00pm fans and media packed Hollywood Boulevard in front of historic Roosevelt Hotel waiting for their heroes. Droves of Filipino fans waited for two and a half hours, getting progressively louder hoping to sneak a peak at or to take a picture of their idol walking the red carpet, while all the English men were singing Blue Moon in support of Ricky Hatton. Inside the Blossom ballroom which was set up for the press conference, Rocksatr and Tecate girls were on the stage competing for the attention of journalists. Mickey Rourke and Mark Wahlberg were among the start studded celebrity crowd that showed up to promote the event. Giant screen TV in the conference room was displaying slide show of Ricky and Manny’s recent fights. If this is any indication of things to come this battle will definitely be not just a fight and event of the year, but in words of Richard Schaefer “The Fight of the Decade.”
This bout dubbed “The Battle of East and West” between pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao and top light welterweight Ricky Hatton is scheduled to take place on May 2nd, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The biggest boxing event of this year will be televised live by HBO Pay-Per-View. The twelve round bout for Hatton’s IBO and Ring Magazine light welterweight title will also be available for viewing at other MGM properties via Closed Circuit. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com or mgmgrand.com and are priced at $1000, $750, $500, $300, $150. Don’t miss this one.
All involved are excited and counting the days till the night of the fight (33 days left).
Hall of fame promoter Bob Arum added fuel to the fire and unveiled a beautiful trophy that will be presented to the pound for pound best trainer on May 2nd after the fight. Bob suggested that Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s famed trainer and a friend, has a great spot for it on the wall of Wild Card Boxing Club.
Both trainers Mayweather Sr. and Roach took it in stride.
Mayweather Sr., dressed as a successful pimp in a shiny black suit and a felt tip hat, recited a poem that I hope to publish soon, that basically spelled doom for Manny and coach Roach come May 2nd.
“Don’t miss this one,” said Freddie Roach smiling as he took the microphone:” It is going to be short and sweet.”
Both trainers posed to the photographers holding the shining trophy.
“Manny should be worried about my power,” stated Ricky Hatton as he took the center stage: “I think it’s going to be a fantastic fight.”
“In the ring we will be fighting for freedom against Englishmen,” said Pacquiao, ever the practical joker: “Only god knows what’s going to happen May, 2nd. I consider this fight one of the toughest and biggest in my career.”
