Boxing experts from all over the globe favor Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao over Ricky Hatton, but this does not mean the fight will be a walk in the park for the ?Pambansang Kamao.?
Yet many boxing experts agree that Pacquiao?s killer speed and punching power are what give the Filipino the edge over Hatton.
British boxing writer Gareth Davies said that while he predicts a late knockout for the Filipino, he does not discount the prospect of Hatton stopping Manny with a single crunching body shot, the same way he has done against opponents bigger than the Filipino star.
Al Bernstein, a highly-regarded American sportswriter is also favoring Pacquiao because of his speed and power.
?Hatton will be competitive with Pacquiao because he is a natural 140 pounder who is better than what he is given credit for,? said Bernstein, author of the book Boxing For Beginners. ?However, Manny?s hand and foot speed plus combination punching will be too much for Ricky. I could easily see Hatton cuts [on the face] being a major factor as well.?
This sentiment was echoed by Los Angeles Times boxing writer Lance Pugmire who predicted ?a 10th round stoppage of Hatton due to Pacquiao?s combination of speed and power.?
The Filipino?s deadly speed was what felled former lightweight king David Diaz, who said he could not see Pacquiao?s punches coming.
However, Oscar De La Hoya, in an article posted in The Ring magazine online discounted Pacquiao?s power when they fought on December 6.
Nonetheless, Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza, Pacquiao?s conditioning coach, have said the Filipino has developed his power during training that will surprise Hatton.
Not a season for upsets
If being superstitious in boxing is to be taken seriously, the present ?season? seems not favoring upsets.
Over the past months and weeks, popular fighters like lightweight king Edwin Valero, pound-for-pound runner-up Juan Manuel Marquez and heavyweight kings Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, were favored to win over their opponents. And they did with it flair. Pacquiao won?t be an exemption as far as boxing experts are concerned
