Manny Pacquiao's Toughest Test Yet

On Saturday May 2, two warriors step inside the ring. Only one will emerge victorious. I am not just an author, but a boxing fanatic and this fight makes me smile. I know I am going to see a war. Two of boxing’s biggest stars come together in one ring.

I believe Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton will give viewers the most exiting fight of the year.  Both men are known for their offense and I expect this to be a mega brawl.

The fight is for the IBO Jr Welterweight title, which Hatton currently holds. Pacquiao has won titles in several weight classes.  His most recent title won was the WBC Lightweight title from David Diaz in 2008. Then Manny beat Oscar De La Hoya and is now considered boxing’s pound for pound king.

I looked at each fighters past fights to see if there is a previous fight that will best indicate how this fight will go. There wasn’t one! Each fighter will be facing their biggest challenge yet.

Ring magazine polled 20 boxers, writers and experts asking them who will win the fight.  Seventeen picked Pacquiao and only three picked Hatton.  I find this crazy.  Hatton is the champion.

He has defended his belt against top fighters, including Jose Luis Castillo who he ko’d in four rounds with a vicious left hook to the body.  Most of the experts say speed will make the difference.

Another factor is that Hatton has had trouble with left handed fighters.  For example, when he fought Louis Collazo in 2006, he won a close decision. Ricky’s only defeat was against the former pound for pound fighter Floyd Mayweather, Jr.  Mayweather ko’d Hatton in 10 rounds. That was at 147 lbs. Hatton has never been beat at 140 lbs.

Pacquiao matches up well against Hatton.  Pacauaio’s trainer, Freddie Roach, says Hatton is a one dimensional fighter moving forward, clinching and wrestling.  Roach is making a prediction that Pacquaio is going to knock out Hatton in three rounds.

The keys for a Pacquiao victory are as follows:  keep the fight in the center of the ring; stay off the ropes; outbox Hatton and use his southpaw style to confuse Hatton; avoid clinches where Hatton can work the body;  avoid Hatton’s body punches all together; use the right hand up the middle like he did against Oscar De La Hoya; and finally use speed.

As they say, speed kills!  During HBO’s series 24/7 that leads up to the fight, Freddie Roach told Manny, “Do not let him touch that body.”

Hatton has a new trainer.  It’s none other than Floyd Mayweather, Sr.  Mayweather claims he is teaching Hatton defense and controlled aggression.

Hatton was always known for his come forward, brawling style, but in his last fight against Paulie Malignagi, Hatton looked great neutralizing Malignagi’s hand speed with great head movement and even used an effective jab.

Ricky Hatton’s keys to victory are as follows:  use his jab more than ever; use what Mayweather Sr. calls controlled aggression, staying focused; go to the body.  Hatton may be one of the top body punchers out there.  This could make a huge difference.

Hatton must have a high punching volume to keep up with Pacquiao on the score cards.  Lastly, Ricky has to impose his will over Manny’s using his strength and try, when possible, to keep the fight on the inside.  He should push Pacquiao around, be physical and go to the body in the clinch.

This is a tough fight to make a prediction on, but I am going against the so-called experts.

I say, Hatton in ninth by TKO .You know what they say, “There is only on Ricky Hatton.”