LAS VEGAS — A pair of huge flags — one Filipino, one British — draped the podium in the press room at the MGM Grand in LasVegas, showing the worldliness of Saturday’s superbattle between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.
But the “Battle of East and West” isn’t just big in the UK and in Asia. It’s pretty big right here in America, where the pay-per-view receipts are expected to hit a million — not bad for a couple offoreigners.
Popularity-wise, Pacquiao and Hatton are equals — though it may not have seemed that way during Friday’s weigh-in, which may as well have been staged in Hatton’s native Manchester.
Ability-wise, however, this fight is not equal. There will be a superior fighter in that ring Saturday, and — to the dismay of the Hatton faithful — he won’t be British.
A great one
Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 knockouts) is the best fighter in boxing, pound-for-pound. He is one of those rare performers who is able to challenge bigger opponents and still dominate. Look no further than his December knockout of the supposedly stronger Oscar De La Hoya as proof.
The “Pac-Man” made one of the best fighters of this generation look like a sparring partner. He won every moment of every round. He dominated every exchange. He made De La Hoya’shandsome features look like hamburger.
Very few fighters on the planet would be capable of such destruction against a fighter of the “Golden Boy’s” caliber.
And, sure, De La Hoya was past his prime and stale. But he was past his prime and stale against Floyd Mayweather Jr., too. He still managed to go the distance and compete on even terms against the then-pound-for-pound king.
Pacquiao embarrassed De La Hoya.
The Filipino also embarrassed defending IBF junior featherweight champ Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001, as a substitute no less.
After the fight, Ledwaba’s face was a mask of pain.
Pacquiao embarrassedMarco Antonio Barrera in 2003, at a time when Barrera was at the height of hispowers. You take away a flash knockdown in the first round, and Pacquiao blanked Barrera as he did De La Hoya five years later.
He embarrassed Erik Morales twice in 2006, the second time so completely that Morales stayed on the deck as the referee tolled the 10 count. Making a proud Mexican champion willingly pack it in takes some doing.
Pacquiao is an all-time great who is a sure-shot for the Hall of Fame. He probably is the greatest Asian fighter in boxing history.
Hatton does not boast such credentials.
Go with Pac-Man
Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) looked sensational in a 2005 stoppage of Kostya Tszyu, a fight in which he made the Australia-based Russian quit on his stool. He seemed destined for greatness.
But he hasn’t looked that good since.
He struggled with Luis Collazo and Juan Urango and, most recently, El Paso’s Juan Lazcano. He gave Mayweather Jr. a good fight in 2007, but he ultimately was knocked out by a fighter who rarely knocks out elite fighters.
The conclusion is that Hatton is good, not great.
Has Hatton improved under Floyd Mayweather Sr., his trainer of record for two fights? Maybe. He looked good against Paulie Malignaggi in November.
But Pacquiao is in a different universe than Malignaggi, whose punch is pillow-like.
It will be a good fight while it lasts. The charged crowd will make it exciting. And Hatton’s speed and aggressive style will make him a more competitive opponent than De La Hoya was.
But he’s not great. And he’ll get knocked out by the best fighter in the world.
Pacquiao by 11th-round TKO.
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected]
