Preview and Prediction for the Boxing Superfight: Ricky Hatton Vs. Manny Pacquiao

In about a month, boxing's most anticipated Fight of the Year will happen when Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32 KO's) meets Manny Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KO's) on May 2 in Las Vegas. This fight is already receiving so much buzz that tickets were sold out in the MGM Grand Garden Arena just hours after they went on sale. Both fighters have begun sparring and preparing for the fight a few weeks ago. The total live gate for this fight could reach that of Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya, or even De La Hoya vs. Mayweather. Hatton and Pacquiao are two of the biggest boxers in their respective countries. Hatton is one of the most popular fighters in England and is one of the few fighters who can sell out an arena all by himself, no matter who he is fighting. Usually when Hatton fights, 10,000 to 15,000 British fight fans come to watch him fight. Pacquiao is the most known Filipino boxer in history and is an iconic figure in the Philippines. Pacquiao has said that after he retires, he would like to run for President in the Philippines and be involved in Politics.

Manny Pacquiao had a bumpy start to his professional career. He began his career as a flyweight and was knocked out twice in his first 26 fights. Pac-Man would have his first 34 fights in the Philippines before coming to America. Pacquiao would begin his rise to fame when he met Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003. Not much was known of Pacquiao at the time, and Barrera had victories over Naseem Hamed and Eric Morales. Pacquiao would win surprisingly by 11th round TKO and be recognized as the Ring Magazine Champion. His next fight would be against Juan Manuel Marquez, and even though, he would knock Marquez down three times in the first round, Marquez held Pacquiao to a draw. Pacquiao would later avenge the draw with a decision win in the rematch. His only loss this decade came against Eric Morales when Pacquiao moved up to the super featherweight division. Pacquiao also avenged that loss in the second fight by tenth round knockout, being the first person to ever KO Morales. A third fight was called for and Pacquiao was in his best form knocking Morales out in three rounds. He would next move up to lightweight and knockout David Diaz after dominating the fight. Pacquiao's most recent fight was "The Dream Match" against Oscar De La Hoya. There were many doubters saying that Pacquiao, who started his career at flyweight, can't possibly move up to welterweight and beat one of boxing's best. Pacquiao would silence his critics and become the Pound for Pound #1 boxer in the world after dominating De La Hoya for eight rounds before the corner stopped the fight. Pacquiao was voted 2008 Fighter of the Year and has been a champion in four weight classes (flyweight, super bantamweight, super featherweight, lightweight).

Ricky Hatton was a protected fighter early in his career and mostly fighting in the United Kingdom. Hatton's first tough fight would be against Eamonn Magee, when Hatton would get knocked down for the first time as a pro in the first round. Hatton would come back strong and win by unanimous decision. Hatton's first step-up fight would be against Vince Phillips when Hatton was 31-0 in 2003. Vince Phillips was a dangerous fighter and had a victory over then undefeated, former undisputed light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu. Hatton would survive some shaky moments and win by unanimous decision. After compiling a record of 38-0 against mostly C fighters, Hatton would get a shot himself against the undisputed champion Kostya Tszyu. Not many people gave Ricky a chance in this fight as Tszyu had wins against Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah, and Julio Cesar Chavez to name a few and was Pound for Pound, one of the best fighters in the world. To many people's surprise, Hatton took it to Tszyu and was winning the fight when Tszyu would not come out for the 12th and final round. With the win, Hatton won the Jr. Welterweight Ring Magazine Belt. After winning his next four fights against Carlos Maussa, Luis Collazo, Juan Urango, and Jose Luis Castillo, Hatton would get his chance against the best fighter in the world, Floyd Mayweather in December 2007. This was a very compelling fight because Hatton and Mayweather were both undefeated. Hatton would control the action early with his aggressive style but Mayweather began to take over in the middle rounds. Mayweather had big rounds in round eight and nine. In round ten, Mayweather knocked Hatton down with a left hook and finished him off seconds later. Hatton suffered his first loss but since then, has wins over Juan Lazcano and Paul Malignaggi.

There is a lot on stake in this boxing match. If Pacquiao is to win, he will solidify his #1 Pound for Pound Ranking and might be looking for more bigger fights with either Floyd Mayweather or a third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. If Ricky Hatton is to win, it would put him in the top 5 Pound for Pound ranking and with a win, could have a rematch to try to avenge his only loss against Mayweather.

My prediction for this fight is that it will start slowly and cautiously in the opening rounds but as the fight continues, Pacquiao will start to land the harder blows and Hatton will abandon the strategy of being a boxer and try to turn this fight into a brawl. Hatton will have his moments in the middle rounds but Pac-Man will break down Hatton gradually and systematically knocking him down in the tenth and finishing him off in the eleventh. Manny Pacquiao by 11th Round KO.