Pacman Or Hitman: East Vs. West Or West Vs. Best?

Is there too much hoopla, recognition and expectation for the upcoming junior welterweight bout between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton?

These two fighters are warriors, no question about it, but is this the best there is?

After watching “Pacman” devastate the living legend, Oscar de la Hoya, in December, Manny’s greatness began to be revealed.  Oh sure, he has always been a terrific fighter, defeating some great ones in the process.  His total dismantling of fan-favorite Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003 was a vicious eye opener.

Then in 2005, Manny met Barrera’s nemesis Erik Morales and looked like he bit off more than he could chew (apologies to Mike Tyson). Morales’ superior boxing skills prevailed as he won the vacant Super Featherweight title with a much deserved unanimous decision.

In 2006 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Pacman avenged the loss with a 10^th round TKO. 

To prove that his drubbing of the great Morales was not a fluke, Pacquiao fought Erik for the third time. After knocking Morales down three times in the fight, Pacman was awarded a TKO in round 3.

Berrera had been waiting in the wings and strengthening his resume, and signed to fight Manny in October of 2007.  After 12 very competitive rounds, Pacman had retained his title with a unanimous decision, solidifying him as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Ricky “the Hitman” Hatton was busy carving out his own place in the boxing world.  After breezing through his first 25 opponents, whose names even boxing fans wouldn’t know, Hatton had a beautiful record of 25-0 with 20 knockouts.

In 2001 Ricky stepped up and fought a former champion who still had some credibility. Freddie Pendleton would be the first fight Hatton had against a boxer who had a reputation. Hatton showed his superiority and power by dispatching Pendleton in the second round, retaining his title as World Boxing Union’s Light Welterweight Champion.

In 2003 Hatton showed some serious vulnerability as journeyman Vince Phillips had him seriously hurt.  Hatton showed his heart by weathering the storm and earning a unanimous decision, thus retaining his title.

Ricky’s next fight against a well known opponent was in 2003 against Ben Tackie, who in 2003 was Ring Magazine’s winner for Knockout of the Year, with his 10^th round starching of Robert Garcia.

Hatton more than held his own en route to a unanimous decision.

Expanding his resume and continuing to fight boxers of at least some quality, Ricky faced an excellent fighter in Kostya Tszyu.  At the time the Russian-born fighter was considered by many as one of the best fighters in the world. His only loss at the time was to durable Vince Phillips who knocked him out in the 10^th round.

This was a dirty and ugly fight replete with low blows and other fouls, but Ricky was the better man that night and sent Tszyu into retirement when he couldn’t come out for the twelfth round.

All went well for the Englishman until he met one of, if not the best, pound-for-pound fighters of all time in “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather. 

Floyd was undefeated and had beaten, if not embarrassed, everyone he had been put in front of at this point. His blazing hand speed, second to none, and his quick feet proved too much for Hatton who was knocked out in the 10^th round after being brutally decked seconds before.

As we can see, both men have fought very credulous opponents with the slightest edge maybe going to Manny.

What should we look forward to?  Blood, and mostly that of Ricky Hatton who will cut almost as quickly as Arturo Gatti.  The hard and fast punching of Pacquiao will prove to be the undoing of Ricky Hatton.  Hatton will give it all he has, for as long as he is standing.  The problem is that won‘t be in the final round. Despite intense pressure and many body blows from the Hitman, Manny will be standing over his opponent at the fight’s end.

In this writer’s opinion, the only fighter within two or three weight divisions, who can beat Pacman is Pretty Boy Floyd, the best fighter in the world.

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