Top Rank Boxing: Pacquiao vs. Hatton In Darts Contest Today In Manchester

© 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.

“Just want to sharpen up little,” said Manny, who will face Ricky Hatton in a darts competition at pub in Manchester on Saturday afternoon.

Pacquiao and his team on Saturday morning will take a train from London’s Euston Station to Manchester’s Piccadilly Station for a noontime press conference at the Trafford Centre’s Great Hall.

There they will talk about their upcoming ‘The East vs the West’ world title fight promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2.? Pacquiao vs. Hatton will be available on HBO Pay Per View.

Pacquiao’s chief trainer Freddie Roach said today that Hatton will be much more difficult than Oscar De la Hoya.

“Hatton is younger, fresher, believes in himself,” said Roach.

“He’s a great body puncher. But we’re still going to knock him out. We will have a much different game plan than the one we used to beat De La Hoya. Manny fought a very smart fight against De La Hoya.

“Manny is a quick learner. He did everything we trained to do against De La Hoya. When we return to Los Angeles on Tuesday I will present the how-to-beat Hatton game plan to Manny.”

Pacquiao arrived with his team into London on Friday night. The pound-for-pound king ate a late-night steak while drinking hot tea in his hotel suite.

Nonito Donaire Update

The Filipino Flash, Nonito Donaire, has a new date – April 18 – for his title defense against undefeated Raul ‘Cobra’ Robinson of San Antonio.

The Donaire vs Robinson and Ulises Solis vs. Brian Viloria title fights
were initially scheduled for March 21.? The venue is the same, Araneta Coliseum, Metro Manila, Philippines.

The Top Rank championship card will be on Pay Per View.