Pacman vs. Hitman – Lessons Must Be Learnt

By Boxing News - 02/12/2009 - Comments

hat4By Adam Laiolo: What a fight this is going to be, for every boxing fan whether you’re a purist, casual or one eyed. Whilst every source of boxing news and forums is claiming the Hitman is in for the biggest beating of his life and Pacquiao is going to cruise to victory. Were these the same fans who predicted De La Hoya was going to knock Pacquiao out early? Or B-Hop must be way past it if Joe Calzaghe beat him, but then destroyed an overrated Kelly Pavlik? Or are these the same fans that believe that Hatton isn’t the best in his division and he’s dodging the other ‘great’ American talent in there?

Probably these fans are the ones that claim Junior Witter is better than Hatton, and having watched both fighters up close for nearly 10 years in my home country, Witter would have been a danger to Hatton around 2/3 years ago. If Witter is so good, why won’t Timothy Bradley give him a rematch? Is Bradley scared like people claim Hatton is of him? Bradley is a good young fighter, but not in the same class as the Hitman.

Ricky Hatton is not scared of anyone, without doubt the best junior-welterweight in the world and has been for three years. What people don’t like is the fact that, he like every other American fighter, doesn’t seem interested in beating what’s below him. Ricky is looking up in his ambitions; Holt, Torres and Bradley are not in that direction. Floyd Mayweather hasn’t beaten a top 10 rated welterweight in years, yet was top of the rankings before he retired.

It’s the big money fights, the bright lights and more money than you can shake a stick at. Manny is stepping into Ricky Hatton’s territory. No one has beaten him as a junior-welter. I can hear the cries if Ricky wins of ‘Manny wasn’t big enough’.

Funny how he was big enough to beat a fried De La Hoya. Ricky will be damned if he does win, and damned if he doesn’t. Manny is lightening quick, awkward and throws punches from every angle imaginable. Ricky is incredibly strong, the best body puncher is the business and has the mental toughness to take big punches and move forward.

But he isn’t going to be getting hit by a big punching junior-welterweight, not even a big lightweight. Does wins over an over-trained De La Hoya and a limited David Diaz really cement the fact Manny can move up in weight and compete with the best in the class. Oscar wasn’t the best welterweight, or Diaz the best lightweight. Would the outcome have been the same if Manny fought Miguel Cotto or Paul Williams? Or Nate Campbell and Juan Diaz? I doubt it.

Diaz was the weakest of the belt holders in lightweight at that time and De La Hoya hadn’t been that low in weight in 7/8 years. Edwin Valero, one of the most dangerous, yet unproven, punchers in the game has chased Pacquiao to no avail. Is Manny afraid? No of course he’s not; he’s just a smart enough guy to not take a high risk-low reward fight.

Against Oscar Manny had nothing to lose, if he lost people would put it down to size difference. It’s always a case of double standards. Manny has an exceptional knockout record, but all of them have been against anything from flyweight to super featherweight. Never has he hit someone who is naturally far bigger and stronger than him.

I think in the opening seconds of the fight Manny will find out just how strong Ricky is. The cries of ‘Ricky’s going to cheat’ have already been sounded. I’m sorry but inside fighting is as much a part of the game as fighting at a distance, ala Mayweather. Mexicans have done it for years; inside fighters will hit you anywhere and will roll in with the shoulders and elbows and bully you about. It’s the opposite extreme to dodging and backing away for 12 rounds like Mayweather and Malignaggi.

Has Manny ever faced someone as strong as Hatton? Will he take his speed up with him? How will Hatton handle the southpaw stance? Questions, questions, questions, ones that no-one but no-one can answer until that bell rings. So for all these boxing ‘experts’, upsets happen, odds are defied and predictions destroyed. To rule out the Hitman, at his natural weight, fighting the smaller man and being stronger is everything Ricky wants in a fight.

If you think Ricky won’t get inside and knock Pacquiao about is ridiculous. Beating Diaz and De La Hoya doesn’t make you the best from super featherweight to welterweight, just the same as if Ricky wins he won’t be pound for pound the best in the sport. You can have all the game plans and strategies you want, but once the bell rings anything can happen.

To the ‘experts’ who make the stupid predictions, based on their encyclopedic knowledge of the sport (obviously), we’ll see what happens fight night. The bandwagons are just starting to leave now, so jump on while you can.



Comments are closed.