Pacquiao Vs. Hatton Fight Preview

Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton are set to face off on May 2nd in what seems right now will be the biggest fight of 2009. This fight should be a close tough battle for each of these fighters. Ricky Hatton can potentially dominate Pacquiao, depending on his ability to bully him around the ring. Pacquiao's punching power has the potential of stunning Hatton and ultimately putting him on his back. If this fight does go the distance, and that's a huge if, expect for it to be a split decision.

Both Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton are tough, explosive fighters. They both bring something to the bout that the other hasn't seen in any of their previous opponents. Ricky Hatton brings explosiveness and an aggressive pressure that Pacquiao hasn't had to face off against before. Manny Pacquiao brings explosive power mixed with the hand speed that none of Hatton's former opponents possessed. Now, no fighter has more hand speed than Floyd Mayweather Jr., but Pacquiao's quick hands pack a bigger punch than Floyd's. Either way, this fight will be very competitive.

Anyone who has seen Ricky Hatton go for 12 rounds, knows that this guy really knows how to rough up his competition, but he also tires. He does a lot of shoving, holding, and banging. How Pacquiao is able to handle this will determine how the fight will go. Hatton expends much of his energy in the first half of his fights because of his style. So if he does not take control of the fight early, he will not be able to get the victory. Unfortunately, having Floyd Sr. as his trainer this late in his career is not going to make him that much of a different fighter.

Pacquiao's ability to handle Hatton's bullying style will either make or break him in this fight. Unless his power is just too much for Hatton, which it has huge potential to be, Pacquiao will have to adjust to Hatton's style. Once Pacquiao gets comfortable in the ring, he will take this fight over. It doesn't matter if he gets comfortable in the first round or the 7th round, when it happens the fight is his. If Pacquiao takes control of this fight early the fight will end early. When it's all said and done, I just don't think that Hatton will be able to handle Manny Pacquiao's punching power.

The up coming matchup between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao can potentially be a very close fight. Because of Hatton's explosive style and Pacquiao's punching power, the fight could go either way. If this fight does go a full 12 rounds, the decision will not be unanimous.