Pacman vs. Hitman: Three Reasons to Watch

This Saturday will be a clash of heads, as East meets West and Manny Pacquiao will meet Ricky Hatton to determine the IBO Light welterweight champion of the world.

There's a lot of events sports fans could be watching Saturday, but this slideshow will give YOU, the sports fans of the world, not one, or two, but THREE reasons why you need to watch this fight come Saturday night.

Pacquiao's Ascension Into History

Whether you like him or hate him, no one can deny the level of class and skill that Manny Pacquiao has displayed over his long, phenomenal career.

With Saturday night's fight in the record books, so too will Manny Pacquiao go, whether he wins or loses. The fight will be Pacquiao's fifth different weight class, and if he does win, it'll be his fifth title in each weight class. Unprecedented to say the least, and remarkable to say the most.

Hatton's Upset-ability

Ricky Hatton only has one loss in his entire career, and it came to a fighter that is regarded by many to be one of, if not, the best boxers to ever grace the ring in Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Even though Pacquiao and Hatton are splitting the fight's money 52-48, that is quite a different story based on Vegas' guidelines, who will have Pacman as a heavy favorite in this bout, especially how Hatton lost his last fight and Pacquiao dominated the ever-aging Oscar De La Hoya.

If Hatton can push forward and not let Pacman control the ring like he did against Oscar, then many UK and American fans of Hatton will love the outcome against Pacquiao.

To do that, however, is another thing. Pacquiao's quick feet and slick moves make it hard to out-punch him, and that is precisely what Hatton will need to do to have a shot.

Future Implications

Not only is this fight important to the combatants because of the Light welterweight titles on the line, but the futures of these two are very much on the line.

With a win, Pacquiao can only soar upwards into legendary status with a fight with Pretty Boy Floyd. Other options include a bout with Edwin Valero and Juan Manuel Marquez.

As for Hatton, a win soars him back into contention for a rematch with Floyd and more money capability. I'll put it this way...a win for Hatton will do for him what the De La Hoya fight did for Manny.

Prediction

Pain to say the least (as Clubber Lang would say), but I do feel Manny is better suited to Hatton's style than vice versa. I see either a ninth round KO or a decision win for the Pacman, but don't sleep on the Hitman.