By: Norman Lucas & John Martinez
www.Ironboxing.com

On May 2, 2009, the best pound-for-pound prime filipino sensation Welterweight Champ “Manny Pacquaio” will defend his title against, a British Brawler turned “Boxer” or in the words of Floyd Mayweather, Sr. (the Italian Stallion) “Ricky Hatton” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on HBO’s PPV.

Ricky will win. The success of Ricky will be depending on how effective he utilize the jab to the head & body of Manny, disrupting speed and timing. Manny has had a lot of distractions during training camp and hasn’t looked as focused and hungry as in the past.

Ricky currently being trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr., looks to be in the best shape of his career and looks more hungry than ever. With Mayweather Sr., at the helm of the Hatton Camp, Ricky has been able to develop a lot more skills and understanding of the art and sweet science of boxing.

Before the last fight (Oscar De La Hoya), Manny looked more determined, humble, hungry, focused and had less disruptions during training camp but, this time he looks more focused on his image than as a determined fighter out to prove why he’s the best pound-for-pound champ in the world.

Also, adding Assistant Trainer Michael Moorer to the camp of Manny Pacquiao has given him another ear to listen in training camp which could have it’s disadvantages.

Floyd Mayweather, Sr., stated that they will have some surprises early on for Manny Pacquiao if they expect to fight the old British Brawler Ricky Hatton, becoming aggressive and utilizing speed to hamper and confuse Ricky.

We believe the keys to this fight for Ricky will be the use of the double jab to Manny’s Head and Body. Make the Champ fight backwards and on his heels, Hatton with more Head Movement, disrupting speed with the jab, will feint, pretend to left hook the body, which occasionally he will follow through with to keep Pacquaio honest, will turn that left hook body shot into a uppercut, Pacquaio will try moving to the right and will be greeted by a hook and uppercut. Manny will be forced to fight a well-trained boxer instead of the old Brawler we come to know of Ricky Hatton.

Prediction is Hatton will win with a late round TKO or stoppage around the 8-10 round devasting Pacquaio with the jab and uppercut, head movements and speed of Hatton, taking the title from the once best pound-for-pound fighter now branded product known as “Manny Pacquiao”.

Source: Norman Lucas / John Martinez
Reply: norman@ironboxing.com or john@ironboxing.com