By Gary Todd

When Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton walk out from their dressing rooms, Hatton's head draped in an oversized hood with trainer, Mayweather Sr ., right behind him, talking the talk as usual, and Pacquiao looking up, smiling to his beloved countrymen, both men will be enjoying the thunderous roar that they each demand .

Why not? They are fighting for the pound for pound, best of the best title, and it's all about them.

With a combined career of 101 fights and 68 knockouts between them along with close to 600 rounds boxed, they deserve it.

Over their career, neither man has been banged up too badly, despite each of them fighting in tough, hard fights, giving their all for their fans, the sport and themselves. More...

Richard Schaefer:?So it's Ricky Hatton versus Manny Pacquiao, two of the most exciting fighters of our generation, the best pound for pound fighter against the most popular fighter in the world, and the stage is set for a great showdown on May 2 live from the MGM Grand and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

In 1889, exactly 120 years ago, one of the most famous poets, and no, I'm not talking about Floyd Mayweather, Sr. but Rudyard Kipling came up with the "Ballad of East and West," and let me just quote you quickly: But there is neither East nor West, border nor breed nor bird when two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth." So the stage is set not for the Ballad of East and West, but for the Battle of East and West.

So I'd like to give you as well a quick summary for the media, we just concluded in England, a two-city media tour which started in Manchester with over 6,000 fans, including a large contingency of Filipinos, I would estimate about 1,500, cheering on their hero, and appreciating as well Floyd Mayweather, Sr.'s talent as a poet. More...

During a national conference call held today for members of the media, Ricky Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., all but ensured a Hatton victory over his next opponent Manny Pacquiao when the two meet in a world junior welterweight championship on Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay-Per-View. More...

© Chris Farina - Top Rank

During a blistering two-day UK media tour, superstars Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Ricky “Hitman” Hatton set the tone for their world junior welterweight “The Battle of East and West” championship set for Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View. More...

The anticipation is growing and the stage is now set for two of boxing's biggest stars, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and IBO Junior Welterweight Champion Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton to meet in "The Battle of East and West," Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

These two boxing artists, who will rumble for Hatton's title, will have a 20 x 20 foot canvas to paint a black and blue masterpiece that the world is anxiously waiting to see. More...

© William Sheratt - Hoganphotos

Pound-for-pound boxing king and reigning Fighter of the Year, Manny Pacquiao, was in his hotel room throwing feathered darts onto a practice dart board on Friday night. More...

Early indications are that fans around the world are eager to get their hands on tickets for the boxing event of 2009, which pits five-division world champion Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao against Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight champion Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton in a world title battle that will go down in boxing history. More...

Two of boxing’s biggest stars will meet in the ring for what could be the year’s biggest pay-per-view event. Five-division world champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao and Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, will rumble for Hatton’s World Junior Welterweight Championships Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

These two boxing artists will have a 20 x 20 foot canvas to paint a black and blue masterpiece that the world has been waiting to watch. Pacquiao and Hatton boast a combined record of 93-4-2 (68), a winning percentage of 94% and a victory by knockout ratio of 73%. More...

Rumours coming out of Manchester suggest that world light welterweight champion Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton will promote his first fight card this September in Birmingham, England.

As one of the most popular fighters in the world today and clearly the biggest in Britain, it's generally thought that Hatton would have no problems jumping to a career as a promoter once his own boxing days are over, which the Mancunian has suggested would come after his next two bouts.

More on this story as it develops.

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Any concerns that Ricky Hattonʼs health is a problem at the moment were dispelled today as members of the media were invited to a training session of 'The Hitman' at Billy ʽThe Preacherʼ Grahamʼs Training Camp in Denton, Manchester, England.

Looking relaxed, Hatton - wearing hooded sweatshirt over sweat-top over tshirt and shorts - took to the ring. Shadowboxing around the canvas, he looked ʽsharpʼ and ʽquickʼ on his feet.

Billy Graham then stepped in to the ring and donning the huge black body-belt, the trainer braced himself for another gruelling session with 'The Hitman'.

Proving heʼd not lost his usual cheeky charm - Hatton occasionally ʽshovesʼ Graham back against the ropes and even the serious looking ʽPreacherʼ canʼt help but laugh at the antics! More...