Mate Conrad, I think it's not only me and the oddsmaker having Hatton as a huge underdog here. This particular boxing writer has the same feeling with us...
link --> Hatton clearly the underdog against Pacquiao
He might have a skull lined with concrete, thousands of fans chanting, "There's only onnnnnnnnnnnne Ricky Hatton," and a huggy bear style that can frustrate the most average of boxers. But come May 2nd, Ricky Hatton will be a clear underdog against Manny Pacquiao.
One Internet sports book has the Filipino boxing idol a two-to-one favorite over the U.K. bruiser.
It does not take an expert to realize Hatton loves his booze and fish 'n chips. As long-time, robust fight figure Michael Marley recently noted, during a U.K. presser this week it seemed as if Hatton was aroused early from a night of partying to attend the media meet and greet. Afterall, we are talking about a fighter who has even embraced the moniker of Ricky "Fatton."
Yet for all his lack of self-care during between-fight downtime, Hatton has never failed to come less than prepared for a major fight. And usually his foes break under Ricky's iron will and goonery.
Do not expect the 30-year-old to hit the wall against Pacquiao, especially under the watchful eye of world renowned trainer and taskmaster Floyd Mayweather Senior.
So what will be Hatton's undoing?
Manny Pacquiao.
“I’ve been in a lot of big, big fights and beaten a lot of great fighters. My last fight against De La Hoya was important, but Ricky Hatton will be much harder," Pacquiao recently told a Filipino news outlet.
Manny is giving Hatton too much credit, drumming up a fairly predictable clash and trying to sell more pay-per-views in my estimation.
Hatton is a world class brawler who relies on being able to get off his punches and then hug and mug his foe. That sort of rudimentary strategy can work wonders against run-of-the-mill opposition.
His comeback from a December 2007 knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather Junior has been built on victories against a very average Juan Lazcano and the stoppage knockout of athletic but feather and damaged fisted Paulie Malignaggi.
Q: Why did Hatton loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr?
A: Floyd was the most athletic boxer Ricky had ever faced in his career and the former pound-for-pound great was able to strike and flutter away from Hatton's attempted clinches.
Prior to Mayweather, Hatton's resume reads like a who's who of serviceable brawlers: Juan Urango, a blown-up and past prime Jose Luis Castillo, Carlos Maussa. Hatton did ice the previously unstoppable Kostya Tsyu, but the Russian was 35 and well past his prime.
Hatton's only other scare, aside from Mayweather, was a tough unanimous decision "victory" over crafty lefty Luis Collazo.
Want to give Hatton problems?
Be a lefty, box, have athletic ability, and the capability to move around on your feet.
Unfortunately for the Manchester faithful Manny Pacquiao has loads and loads of Ricky's poisons and power to boot.
Once an off-balance, offense first, second and last lefty, Pacquiao has been transformed by Freddie Roach into a calibrated boxing machine. The fiery native of General Santos still throws punches in bunches from a southpaw stance. But as proved in his definitive victory over Oscar De La Hoya, Manny can now weave in and out of exchanges while still punishing his opponent.
If you throw level of opposition into the mix, Pacquiao has been hardened by a string of future Hall of Fame fighters.
Erik Morales, De La Hoya, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez all rear their legendary mugs in Manny's record. The only fighter who can equal the abilities of those former Pacquiao foes on Hatton's list of foes is Floyd Mayweather Junior and we already went over how that bout went for Hatton.
Don't believe the pre-fight hype. Don't listen to Manny up-sell Ricky. Don't listen to Floyd Senior taunt Manny and Freddie. Don't listen to Hatton say he will knock out the Filipino. And don't believe this is a fight of the year candidate worthy of forty-some-odd dollars.
Look at the lines and believe the odds-makers who have Pacquiao as a clear favorite.


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