HOLLYWOOD ? It?s not the weight, but the impact of the punches that matters.
A reinvigorated Manny Pacquiao said on Thursday that he didn?t care if Ricky Hatton would come in heavier for their ?Battle of East and West? date on May 2 (May 3 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
?It?s OK if he comes in at 150 [pounds] or over,? said Pacquiao in Filipino. ?It?s the punches that will decide the outcome.?
Though betting odds are heavily stacked in his favor at minus 285 ? meaning a $285 bet wins just $100 if he prevails, Pacquiao refuses to be complacent.
?I?m already in top condition, but we can?t really tell until the fight is over,? he said. ?Hatton is just as fast, he?s also good, strong and a champion.?
Pacquiao even prefers to consider himself as the underdog.
?Let?s not presume that this is going to be an easy fight, that I have the advantage? the General Santos lefty told Manila-based sportswriters over lunch at Nat?s Thai Restaurant, which is just a few steps away from the gym.
?Come fight night, it?s our hands that will do the talking in the ring. Let?s not say anything, so that we can?t be blamed whatever happens.?
Nibbling on fresh strawberries and slices of watermelon while signing autographs, Pacquiao said he felt he was in the same condition now as when he beat Oscar De La Hoya into retirement last December 6, also in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao said he?s totally focused on taking away Hatton?s International Boxing Organization light welterweight crown and that weight was the least of his concerns.
According to Pacquiao, he pigged out on his favorite foods on Wednesday, when Roach ordered him not to do gym work. Despite the extra food, he still tipped the scales at 147 pounds.
Asked about Hatton?s supposedly dirty tactics and brawling style, the Filipino ring superstar said he was not worried as Roach and chief assistant Michael Moorer have devised strategies to counter them.
Pacquiao said he would prefer that Hatton would fight him toe-to-toe because they have the same style. He said he would need to be careful to avoid the enemy?s phantom punch.
?When the bell rings, let?s get it on,? said the only Asian four-division world champion. ?The fight lasts just 30 to 40 minutes, but we trained for two months.
?All I can say is I?m ready.?
NOTES: Bobby Pacquiao turned 29 Thursday and a celebration was held at his older brother?s Palazzo apartment. Members of Team Pacquiao will also be weighed on Sunday. Those who succeed in losing 10 percent of their body weight for the duration of training camp will pocket $3,000 each. In addition, select members will be given special rings… A movie honoring another Filipino boxing great, Pancho Villa, is being planned with Pacquiao, of course, playing the part … Another dart tournament supported by Pacquiao will be held in June here … Manny?s wife, Jinkee, arrived here Wednesday, a day ahead of fight promoter Wakee Salud … Top Filipino featherweight Bernabe Concepcion will fight in the undercard of the Battle of East and West, after all. The 21-year-old Concepcion (28-1-1 with 16 knockouts), originally slated to challenge WBO champion Steve Luevano who incurred an injury, will be facing Colombian Yogli Herrera (22-7 with 15 knockouts).
