Pacquiao versus Clottey: The Pompyangin Kita Review

Manny Pacquiao started the match figuring out Joshua Clottey’s defense.

In the end, the judges figured out that Clottey’s defense is the only thing that he has against the Pacman.

Read on.

Wow. I saw a lot of election ads. Happiness! Manny Villar’s new garbage kids TVC is not as catchy as the first TVC but it really makes him the most hard-working presidentiable in terms of advertising budget… and dirty kids.

I didn’t catch the undercard bouts. I was watching “A Very Special Love”, which is a Filipino love story starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo.

What…

Is it a crime to get mushy?

Powerhug kita diyan e.

Anyway, I laughed at the Mike Velarde party list TVC. He misspelled sangol (this means baby in Filipino but the true spelling for this is sanggol)? Whoever thought Brother Mike is a great voiceover person must be awesome.

Eteman ang belog na huges etlog…

The Ghanaian National Anthem was English. I thought there would be some sort of African culture infused but I guess Western culture got the best of them. Arnel Pineda sung the Philippine National Anthem and it was good until the last two notes. Why the fuck did he “Journey-ed” Lupang Hinirang??? Dammit, the last note was very, very way off. The US National Anthem was sung extremely well by three almost-naked women known as the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders that reminded me of the pop/country group Atomic Kitten.

That’s America for you.

Joshua “The Grandmaster” Clottey danced his way to the ring. Manny Pacquiao came to the ring via Eye of the Tiger. We saw Jinkee Pacquiao and her twin sister at ringside. So, where the hell is Chavit? Bobby Pacquiao is in attendance too so I’m wondering whose groin will he low blow. Rafael Ramos is the third man in the ring and he looks like Andal Ampatuan.

Michael Buffer never seizes to amaze me but he did have trouble pronouncing all the world titles The Pacman acquired.

Round One – How can we see the footwork when the ads are blocking it? We can REALLY hear Buboy Fernandez dishing out instructions. Give him a headpiece already! Clottey is a counter-puncher with awesome defense but Manny tagged him mid-round. Manny was ramming his gloves on the Grandmaster’s ribs but this is leading to Clottey’s connecting jabs. Still, Pacquiao won the “feeling-out” round.

Round Two – Wow. Clottey is stepping on Manny’s feet and his defense is so annoying that it is frustrating Manny. This is destroying Manny’s game and he’s always getting tagged by Clottey’s jabs. Buboy was begging Manny to keep his distance since his punches are landing on Clottey’s gloves. The round belonged for Clottey. His dance after a Pacman shot means he remains unfazed on the power that is Pacquiao’s.

Round Three – Solid rights by Clottey. I like how Manny respects his opponents but Clottey’s turtle shell defense is seriously ANNOYING! However, Brian Viloria was right in saying that defense doesn’t score points as Pacquiao is the worker of the round. Clottey though seldom hits but is proving to be accurate. I’m going to give Pacquiao this round because Pacman carried the round even if Clottey looked good here.

Drats! I channel surfed and landed on the DZMM Teleradyo cable channel! ABS-CBN is seriously notorious for spoiling the outcome of the fights televised by GMA!

GUESS WHAT?

I JUST GOT SPOILED!

Round Four – For every ten punches Manny executes, Clottey will block nine. However, that “gloves to face” defense is getting weaker as the bombs of Manny are connecting and now getting impact. That defense might the only thing Clottey can have right now. The round belongs to Manny because Clottey looks like he’s merely surviving the fight. A funny spot in the round was when Manny punched Clottey with a left and the right AT THE SAME TIME! Yes, Manny getting a mouthful from the ref is funny. Oh Manny’s two-timing with his fists!

Round Five – Poor arms! Clottey’s arms have got to hurt! Clottey’s head trainer Lenny de Jesus wants Clottey to punch and be active. Manny got tagged by a right which infuriated the Pacman. Buboy was shouting for Manny to hit Clottey in the shoulders to make that defense go down. Still while Clottey punched a bit, Manny was still active. And now it seems like Manny is telling Clottey to slug it out. Clottey is in a no-win situation if he tries to abandon his game plan. Manny wins this round.

Round Six – See Round Five. Clottey is fighting but it is still Pacquiao who’s dictating the pace.

Round Seven – Pacquiao got rocked! But still, he is still dictating the pace. The welt in Pacquiao’s left eye will sting. Clottey’s corner asked the boxer to think out of the box. Clottey needs to gear his bombs now and not wait for Pacman to get tired. Just like what Quinito Henson mentioned, I too saw that unusual foot action Clottey executes when he’s about to punch. I’m going to give this round to Clottey for the amazing shot midway the round. Just kidding! One lucky punch won’t damage Pacquiao’s offensive onslaught!

Wait… did I just see a Manny Pacquiao campaign ad? The concept looks good but it was kind of shocking… and disturbing.

Round Eight – Pacquiao is so used to Clottey’s turtle-shelled defense that Clottey’s offense is always getting Manny off-guard. Clottey just dished out an accidental low blow. Pacquiao just gave Clottey an accidental head butt. All of a sudden, Clottey reverts back to his strictly defense ways. Clottey then handed out a punch after round ended. It was no biggie but Pacquiao wins Round 8.

Round Nine – Lenny de Jesus just exclaimed that they are losing every round. Clottey had two successive combinations with Manny egging him to do it. But then Pacquiao erupted with a smothering display of Clottey hurting! Quinito Henson is saying that Clottey is just looking for a lucky punch while Chino Trinidad is telling us that Manny shouldn’t be complacent. Brian Viloria reminded the two that Pacquiao is still controlling the fight. What Pacquiao will do in the last three rounds will spell the match’s aftermath.

Round Ten – Did Buboy say speed? ROUND TEN? SPEED!?! Shouldn’t he be tired by now??? Pacman is owning this fight! Clottey is like a moving and fighting punching bag! Wow! You can see the hint of desperation on Clottey but he is still hiding in his shell. There was a left uppercut that scored for Clottey but Manny continues to control the fight. Before the fight ended, Clottey drove an elbow to the back of Pacquiao. As far as Pacquiao is concerned, it continues to NOT hurt him.

Round Eleven – Clottey is now going for broke. Freddie Roach is telling his ward to look for a knockout shot. Clottey caused three uppercuts and a string of effective counters but Manny continues to dance and bomb his fists to Clottey’s face and body. By going kamikaze, this takes out the vaulted defense Clottey has been executing. Unfortunately for the Grandmaster/Hitter, Pacquiao found his face open and for the first time as Chino Trinidad pointed, was the first time we saw Clottey staggered. In an interview up and coming star Jorge Arce said that in no way was Manny Pacquiao going to win this fight by knockout. It looks as if he’s right.

Round Twelve – The two embraced and mere seconds after that “manly” encounter Clottey gave two hooks and a looper that eventually became an accidental head butt. It seems as if there was no desperation for Clottey to knock Pacquiao out. All he did was continue to do his normal game play that could have worked with the no-namers he defeated but for a quick fighter like Pacquiao, the judges won’t score the stance but the flurry of punches. From start to finish, except for the second round (which could have blinded me because I was amazed initially at Clottey’s defense), Pacquiao carried Clottey.

The Aftermath – The judges scored 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109… a unanimous decision victory for Manny Pacquiao. Whatever Freddie Roach said about this fight as exciting as hell are all lies! Clottey had his face glued to his gloves. I’m really guessing he just wanted to survive Pacman which is bogus considering this is a title bout. But this is still an important sight for fight fans everywhere to see Pacquiao fight a bigger and much heavier fighter and still win. If Floyd Mayweather’s name again floats to a possible megafight, Pacquiao needs to improve his power. During Clottey’s post-match interview, he said the Pacman lacked the power but his speed was blinding. Mayweather is also fast so that screams more training for an up and coming “dream match”.

This should be the points he should ponder.

Congrats Pacman! Again, you gave your all and made your countrymen proud.

Now if you can just make your province-mates pick you as their congressman… then that would be awesome.

The Collision Course and a New Beginning

The most popular team in the Philippines might visit some of their fans behind bars because of two Fil-Ams who thought they were those 90’s action stars that can take a whole gang.

Haha, you were wrong!

PAROLED FROM MURDER!

Congratulations for Rudy Distrito for his release from prison!

MAY YOU NEVER COME BACK AGAIN!

FRUSTRATED MURDER!

With one gone, a team could follow. Yeah, rich kids that roam the metro trying to cut a BUS for that matter, issued a challenge to Art dela Cruz and some of the Baranggay Ginebra Kings when they charged the players of frustrated murder. No offense, but I’ll dish the same love I gave Alain Katigbak here…

These peons have no business trying to cut a bus in the first place. Sure, they got sideswiped but stopping in the middle of the SOUTH SUPER F’N HIGHWAY!?! Even in a tollway, all they had to do afterwards was ask the Toll guys to reprimand the Kings and yet they thought it would be cool to hound… a lean and mean bunch of six footers!

What they need to do is put these guys on some dope test because I think these guys thought that they were above the law.

The bus door looked like a bad gift gone wrong.

However is in the wrong end of an Art dela Cruz facial punch, might either be a basketball player (I loved his fights with Poch Juinio back in the day) or should be placed in a mental institution.

Haha!

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

Brian Viloria and Donnie Nietes needs to salvage wins if they want to tuck their titles in their belts for a little more time. Cuneta Astrodome will stage this event dubbed “The Collision Course”. Catch the action on January 24. GMA Pinoy TV subscribers can avail access to the bouts at these times:

Japan time – January 25, Monday, 3:00am
AUS (EDT) time – January 25, Monday, 5:00am
KSA time – January 24, Sunday, 9:00pm
Italy time - January 24, Sunday, 7:00pm

Why do I know this?

* whistle * *whistle*

Before I end this, I wish all the Haitians could live past this tragic event. Yeah that earthquake pretty much destroyed lives and livelihood but we must see the beauty in ugly especially in these times that we are forced to see it that way.

Game over!

(cheap plug: www.sydrified.blogspot.com!)

TOP TEN: Floyd Mayweather reasons why he ditched the Pacquiao fight

10) He thinks Pacquiao is a bad PPV draw since his latest movie, Wapakman, flopped.

9) He wants to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on what is perceived as an exciting rematch.

8) Pacquiao wanted a one-on-one match but Mayweather wanted a bare-knuckled, no holds barred, table, ladders, and chairs match. He later backed out when Pacquiao thought of bringing The Big Show in his corner!

7) He hates the fact that Manny wouldn’t want to give him his mom’s cellphone number… EVEN WHEN HE PROMISED TO BE A GOOD STEPDAD TO PACMAN! DAMMIT, HE EVEN LEARNED HOW TO DANCE JUST TO DATE HIS MOM!!!

6) Mayweather wanted to switch trainers to spice things up!

5) He hates the fact that he would hear Pacquiao sing when he wins.

4) Nothing in his contract states a San Miguel Beer ad appearance.

3) He got depressed when some girl said that there is nothing “Pretty” about his “Floyd”.

2) It’s too late for him to postpone his sex change.

1) Deep inside his mind the thought of him having a loss makes him pretty much just a “regular” guy with nothing to brag about.

Game over.

* cough * CHEAP PLUG: www.sydrified.blogspot.com!!!

10 reasons why Cotto will lose to Pacman

10. Pac’s Speed. Yah, it’s not secret anymore that only Manny Pacquiao can rival or even surpass the quickness of Money Mayweather. Speed kills, according to many boxing experts. Truly, you cannot hit a thing that you cannot see, ergo, the power punch of Cotto would be irrelevant.

Read more

Manny Pacquiao - Miguel Cotto Newslinks

Pacquiao vs Cotto: Manny Begins The Hectic Tour

Filipino boxing hero and the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao is set to begin a hectic schedule on a promotional tour for his “Fire Power” showdown against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14.  Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said the champion had “a good rest on the flight from Manila to New York” after wrapping up his commitments in the Philippines which included shooting a movie, TV shows, commercial endorsements and other activities. Pacquiao gave way to his musical inclinations when he began playing the grand piano in his New York hotel suite shortly after being checked in. Pacquiao is in New York along with Cotto, the pride of Puerto Rico, to kick-off their cross country, five city tour with a huge press conference at the spanking new, state-of-the art Yankee Stadium on Friday, Manila Time. Complete Story

ON DECK: THE COTTO/PACQUIAO PRESS CONFERENCE

On September 10th at the new Yankee Stadium, a fight wasn’t held, but a press conference was. Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao were in New York City hyping their November 14th showdown, which will happen in Las Vegas at the house that MGM built. This mega-fight, between the current pound-for-pound best against one of the toughest, smartest and most resilient fighters in the sport, promises to be a classic. Pacquiao is brutal aggression. Cotto is brutal counter-aggression. It’s a styles-make-fights formula that has fans looking past Marquez/Mayweather. Complete Story

Pacquiao has Cotto figured out

“I don’t only know what are my advantages over Cotto,” said Pacquiao, who was met at the airport by members of the L.A. Boys, made up of his basketball and dart buddies living in Hollywood. “It’s not enough for you to know your strong points but what is important is how to use them in the actual fight.” Pacquiao, 30, regarded as boxing’s best pound-for-pound, said he doesn’t see Cotto imposing his will by bullying inside or dancing around to keep him away from punching range. “I would welcome him if he decides to slug it out at close range and if he intends to run, I know a lot of ways how to pin him down,” said Pacquiao. “I have a feeling, though, that he will try to dance around.” Complete Story

Exclusive Interview: Freddie Roach

8CountNews caught up with famed fight trainer Freddie Roach Monday morning and got his thoughts on the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight. Roach talks about the current press tour currently underway, and also touches on the situation between himself, and Michael Koncz. Roach also informs 8CN that training camp will be split between the Philippines, and Los Angeles, 4 weeks in each country. Complete Story

Pacquiao mulls legal action vs Mayweather over ‘steroids’ claim

“Pinag-aaralan na namin kung sasampahan namin siya ng kaso tungkol sa mga pinagsasabi niya,” said the 30-year-old boxing champ.  Pacquiao was quick to deny he’s taking steroids and other type of supplements that resulted in his sensational victories over boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya and Hatton – two fighters bigger and stronger than him, but whom he brutally beat in succession. Complete Story

The FILIPINO FLASH REPORT: PLANT MORE POWER!

Nonito Donaire aims to be the next Manny Pacquiao. He wants to reign all the alphabet soup organizations in the world and became a multi-division champion.

This could happen… if he gets his power to climb too.

Last August 16, Nonito Donaire Jr. captured the interim WBA superflyweight crown against Panamanian Rafael Concepcion. The fight finished with a unanimous decision in favor of Donaire. Fight fans saw the Filipino Flash masterfully dismantling his opponent. This is only the second time a Filipino has beaten a guy from Panama since Flash Elorde defeated Ismael Laguna at the Araneta Coliseum in 1966. Concepcion was a tough cookie as he withstood Donaire’s punches. However, one thing Concepcion lacked was the ability to break down Flash as he threw more misses than hits. Donaire’s gameplay resembles a created superstar fighting in a created career mode of the Fight Night game. He doesn’t engage the opponent into a brawl. Instead, he patiently looks for the opponent’s opening, eventually making him realize that Donaire suckered his opponents into playing “his” game.

If you watch Donaire’s last three fights, you’ll see he has a trademarked style. While he is a smart fighter and waits for his opponents to commit a mistake, he seems like a lazy fighter. He doesn’t throw combinations a whole lot. There will be an instance where his last three shots all came from the same fist. If you look at his style, you’ll see him play around his opponents like he’s the older brother slapping his kid’s brother’s head… during kindergarten. While his footwork and the ability to slip out of nasty predicaments are awesome, if he can’t see the right formula, he tends to backtrack and bounce away from his opponents. While this is all too normal… a tall guy playing in a division played by 5’3 fighters or below is like a giant that doesn’t like to get tagged.

But you know, the last paragraph could pretty much be his trademark so if this really works for him, then all they need is to refurnish this style for his liking, However, the power is something that needs to be quickly addressed. Sure, Concepcion is a wiry vet that sacrificed his money so that he could come into the fight a few pounds overweight (a bit shady, but since the fee is not that high, it was a great tactic for Panamanian Bull). Donaire had many punches that could have been easily be knockouts. Curing this early should be the focus of their camp. Donaire like I said, looks like a super-sized boxer in his current weight class. This means, he won’t look like a chomp once he moves to other heavier and more money making divisions. Amongst the current Pinoy crowd drawers, Flash is only behind Manny Pacquiao and a notch higher than Brian Viloria, AJ Banal, Boom Boom Bautista, Donnie Nietes, Gerry Penalosa, among others.

With Manny getting distracted by various endorsements, television appearances, and a political career, we need to get another power player in the mix for at least three years time.

The Filipino Flash has the capabilities to scour on that possibility but he needs to raise his arsenal up a notch.

By the way, who was channeling in his fight hairstyle… a 70’s version of a NBA player?

POSTSCRIPT: didn’t get to watch Bernabe Concepcion in action. When I logged into my PC I saw that he got DQ-ed. I don’t know what happened but… did this amount to a brawl? Also the action finished a shade after 1:30pm. What? Oh wait… this is because this is not a Pacman fight! Riiiight! Did the Philippines-Korea match aired? I want to see how Korean wielded their imaginary magic wands anew!

Pacman, Man of the Fans

Another great Pacman video. It’s by Elie Seckbach, aka the Embedded Correspondent, aka Kobe’s Favorite Youtube Reporter.

Manny Pacquiao is known as “The People’s Champ”, as he is a hero to millions and was also recently named one of the world’s most influential people by Time Magazine. In this exclusive video we catch up with Manny after a long day of training. Tired and hungry, he sticks around the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood to greet hundreds and hundreds of excited fans. From FH.

The whole video is nice but wait ’til the end… Elie Seckbach ends all his report with a smile. Check that smile.

HBO 24/7 Pacquiao - Hatton Episode 3

I wanted to update my Manny Pacquiao - Ricky Hatton newslinks, but it’s way buried. And so, I am embedding this HBO Episode 3 here, a new post. If good karma is real & happening, Manny Pacquiao will be the last man standing in their May 3 duel. Manny accomodates ALL the fans… Manny trains hard… Manny looks so cool doing a ceremonial pitch… Manny tries to pick up a fallen spar mate… Manny waits for Momma even past midnight… and Manny prays all the time…

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The Flash and the Furious Review: April 19, 2009

What up! Sunday is a great time to catch two shirtless men sweaty and hugging with brutal insinuations for some kind of thing you wrap in your waist.

This statement should also work in pro wrestling, MMA, and ping pong.

Anywho…

Three things will bug me in this event’s telecast and I expect at least a 66 percent chance of success in this statement.

Commercials: They were many, but it was understandable. Of all the commercials, I loved the LBC TVC. Who orders a rolled-up sheet of paper to whack someone with thru LBC? My guess is SOMEONE THAT’S FREAKIN’ AWESOME! If I become a boss, that’s the first thing I would do! EMPLOYEES BEWARE!!! The ad that I hate is a tie: The Love Radio ad was conceptually-not-that-botched but it looked old and it seemed like a student made it. The video quality was poor and it proved reasons why non-TV media should stick to non-TV ways to promote their non-TV media! The Tanduay ad however, is a serious waste of cash. I honestly believe that when they asked the viewers if they want to go to Boracay, they would create some sort of raffle to do so. This assumption was freaking wrong because the ad was meant to tell the viewers that missing Boracay means making a Boracay café with pints of Tanduay! Somewhere in the United States, Marshall McLuhan is pissed as hell in his grave…

Which brings me to my next rant…

National Anthem singer: I admit, I was only going to watch the Donaire fight so I caught the Villoria match midway in the fourth round. After the glee I witnessed from the Villoria fight, the next thing I saw was the playing of the US anthem. And then… QUE HORROR! Sure, Tanduay is a major sponsor for the event and they should get some sort of freebie for dishing out the goods to make this event possible, However, making NEY OF 6CYCLEMIND sing the national anthem was bad! First of all, without the band, he’s just a guy singing. They could have just asked some random GMA singer to sing the anthem but no, they just snatched some guy dressed in ordinary clothing, to sing a song that is going to be televised in almost all parts of earth! I mean, if you saw Lani Misalucha, Kyla, Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, and other singers, one thing you’ll notice is they take the singing of the national anthem as a privilege and as serious as possible. And finally, the gravest of them all. Why is he doing an RNB version of our anthem? Didn’t someone paged him that Lupang Hinirang is a marching song and anyone that violates this will get a fine that could more or less be jail time? I don’t know if that is the case but Ney certainly made the song his and his unique version made a lot of buzz surrounding the judges… boxing judges… THIS IS NOT AMERICAN IDOL!!!

And finally:

Chavit: From the ringside seats to the bleachers area, everybody that is inside the arena, shouting recklessly until the last second of the match are boxing fans. But unlike the normal boxing fan, they do not have the stomach to troop to the ring unlike Chavit. No, I don’t have anything against the former senatoriable. I will always respect a man that owns a tiger inside his premises. However, sighting Chavit in a Pinoy boxing match is like sighting the actual boxing ring: He is always there! A Top Rank Production where a Pinoy fighter is about to contend… he’s always there!

Anyway, here are the matches proper:

Ulises Solis (champion) versus Brian Viloria (challenger)
For the IBF Light-Flyweight title

I must admit, I am one of the few that didn’t think Viloria could perform on the top level. I mean, yeah, he won a title back in ’06, but the way he lost the title and then his constant yearnings to retire made me look at him as some kind of guy who’ll actually prefer doing commentary than seriously being in the ring. This is the reason why I just caught his fight on the fourth round: I don’t think he could win without a hometown decision. Solis is not like those foreign fighters that would more or less hit the deck on the opening bell. He is a champion – in his eighth title defense. I know if the Pinoy surge is 50-50 then Donaire will win and Viloria will take the L.
I am currently eating my words.

This bout is the better bout between the two. Viloria started off strong in which one monster blow placed Solis on a one-way trip to Cut City. However, in the middle rounds, Solis regained his form and started to act urgently. At this point critics wonder if Viloria returned to his normal “quitter” outlook, or if he punched his power out, or if Solis was getting the better off him.

The answer was neither. While Solis became extra aggressive in the final rounds, Viloria showed that he was merely saving his strengths for the final hurrah. Solis is a hard boxer to KO, so slugging in the final rounds and winning in the scorecards was his only option to get a clear win and shake off the “hometown” factor. Problem is, this was the same route that Solis was eager to take. Solis had too much to think about: lost rounds, hometown decision, and let us not forget the deducted points he received when his body punches landed near the crotch.

And then came the 11th round. With Viloria dominating and pressing, and Solis merely looking for that lucky punch, the Hawaiian Punch strikes an almost-perfect right straight hook to the head of Solis. The next scene pretty much ends the bout: Solis’ feet wobbly… Solis’ body shaky… and then Solis’ back kisses the mat. Viloria would take the same stance, but this is merely due to ecstatic jubilation.

I hope this won’t be another one-win moment for Viloria because with that win, he pretty much earns the right to be named champ. Hats off also for Solis for bringing in a stellar show and to lose graciously despite the odds stacked against him.

Winner: Viloria (11th round KO)
Match Analysis: 9/10 – A want a rematch… on even grounds!

Nonito Donaire (champion) versus Raul Martinez (challenger)
For the IBF Flyweight title

This was pretty much a one-sided deal. Martinez is an undefeated Hispanic-American that boasts an all-knockout victory but most of the opponents he faced are no-namers. Donaire however, edge The Cobrita in size, reach, and in the outcome of the fight… speed. Donaire was freaking awesome: landing three knockouts in the first two rounds! The way he fought was insane, especially in dealing with Martinez’ vaulted super-sealed defense. Well, the problem of defending is that you are taking away your points production. That’s why it was important for the Flash to claim those landing areas whenever he gets the chance.

The ending of the fight sucked, however. I mean, from the start of the round, Martinez will not hold his own against Nonito. However, fans clamor for a knockout. When the match ended, Martinez was not down on the mat… nor was he bathing in blood. He was arguing with the refs because of a knockout that could be argued as a slippage. While it didn’t look like it, the matched was stopped to protect Martinez’ from further injuries.

But the sight of a foe without any signs of mutilation, carrying an opponent’s flag could either be a great ending for the event… or some pug that lost his train of thought and now is prancing to the crowd on what he thinks is his homeland’s flag.

Winner: Donaire (Fourth round – TKO)
Match Analysis: 6/10 – This should have been a ten if there was a knockout.

May 2 (May 3 Manila Time) would signal the Pacquiao-Hatton, East meets West bout.

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton

Like I always do, few weeks before a Manny Pacquiao mega-fight, I’ll be posting Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton news/article links in this post. (I’ll edit this post as news/links come in.)

Ring Magazine’s panel sees a Manny Pacquiao victory

At least 17 of the 20 boxing personalities polled by The Ring magazine had picked Manny Pacquiao to roll past Ricky Hatton in their May 2 showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Two former Hatton opponents in Paul Malignaggi and Luis Collazo were among those who placed their money on the Filipino boxing sensation.

Freddie Roach, Floyd Mayweather Sr. star in war of the words

Mayweather Sr. trains Hatton, Roach trains Pacquiao. The fighters are fine. The trainers can’t stand each other. And so, in a room called a pavilion and named for a former publisher, a room blessed over the years with the presence of presidents and kings, where news decisions and editorial policy affecting millions were formulated, Mayweather Sr. and Roach did some verbal street-fighting. The tablecloth needed graffiti.

HBO banks on Pacquiao, Hatton to draw younger viewers to boxing

Premium television programming giant HBO is banking on the huge popularity and appeal of both Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton to attract younger viewers to the sport as it unveils its Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 preview series. Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 is a four-part series that will extensively chronicle the respective training of Filipino pound for pound king Pacquiao and British bomber Hatton for their May 2 pay-per-view fight in Las Vegas. According to HBO senior vice president of sports operations Mark Taffet, HBO looks at Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 as a tool to draw 18- to 49-year-old males to a sport whose median viewing age skews over 35.

Pacman-Hatton Rematch Planned, in Darts

Pacquiao-Marquez III possible, says Roach

Juan Manuel Marquez may yet get his longtime wish – another go at nemesis Manny Pacquiao – afterall. Trainer Freddie Roach revealed that Marquez, the Mexican fighter who has fought his ward Pacquiao in two close contests, could be up next for the Filipino superstar after Ricky Hatton. But that is, if plans to pit Pacquiao with the coming-out-of-retirement Floyd Mayweather, Jr. would not materialize. Mayweather, Jr. is rumored to be getting back to the ring to challenge his successor at the P4P throne, Pacquiao. “If the negotiation with Floyd doesn’t work out I’m sure it’s Marquez. Where else do we have to go?” Roach said, as quoted by fighthype.com.

Pacquiao to Feel Pain - Hatton

Ricky “Hitman” Hatton is of the belief that he can withstand the power of Manny Pacquiao on May 2 and that the Filipino cannot say the same thing. “He’s been shaken up a few times,” Hatton said, noting that Russian-Australian Kostya Tszyu and the rugged New York-born Puerto Rican Luis Collazo hit him the hardest but they couldn’t finish him off. And because Pacquiao is so awkward and flawed, Hatton said he will succeed in getting inside without being damaged on the way in. Once Hatton gets to within inhaling distance, the British banger said Pacquiao is going to feel pain he’s never felt before, getting supreme confidence from the fact that the pound-for-pound king had been knocked out once with a shot to the body.

P400,000 to watch Pacman with the Stars

For an eye-popping $8,330, you can watch the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight seated alongside Hollywood stars like Russel Crowe, Sylvester Stallone, Eva Longoria, Mark Wahlberg or Jennifer Lopez. Yes, $8,330, or at the current foreign exchange rate, roughly P400,000, amid the financial crisis. That’s how much the best seat in the house in MGM Grand Arena isbeing offered, peddled and sold over the Internet barely a month before the biggest fight of the year so far takes place in Las Vegas.

Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao: Smoke & Mirrors

If there’s one thing I can’t stand more than anything is an over-hyped fighter like Manny Pacquiao. I don’t mind Pacquiao getting a little praise for some of his accomplishments, but honestly Manny hasn’t done all that much in his career against what I consider quality fighters. Ricky Hatton, by far, is going to be the best opponent of his career on May 2nd.

Pacquiao: KO not my game plan

Don’t expect Manny Pacquiao to win by knockout over Ricky Hatton in their May 2 showdown in Las Vegas for the Briton’s WBO light welterweight title. No, the pound-for-pound king has not lost his killer instinct. He just wants to concentrate on the fight and exploit Hatton’s weaknesses, which the Filipino said are aplenty. “I expect him to be coming forward and fight toe-to-toe, and I like that,” Pacquiao told www.mirror.co.uk. “I’m not looking for a knockout.” “I don’t want any distractions in my mind,” the Filipino superstar added.

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton HBO Special, Episode 1

(edited, 12:30pm, apr 24 2009)

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