By Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

Ring Magazine editor-in-chief Nigel Collins has provided some interesting possibilities based on the outcome of the classic “Undefeated” battle of welterweights Floyd Mayweather Jr and Britain’s Ricky Hatton in a blockbuster fight card to be telecast by the giant Philippine broadcast network ABS-CBN on Sunday.

 

Collins told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that if “The Hitman” Hatton beats “Pretty Boy” Mayweather he will “probably take over the top spot” in the prestigious Ring’s pound-for-pound ratings but made it clear that “it would not be automatic.” Collins noted that if Hatton were to win by a highly controversial decision “we would have to carefully weigh our options.”

 

On the other hand the Ring editor-in-chief said that if Mayweather wins “in a comprehensive but uninteresting manner he would most likely retain his No.1 spot.” However, Collins revealed that  “such a result would create an opening for Manny Pacquiao to become No.1 but Manny would have to beat Juan Manuel Marquez convincingly to move to the top rung.”

 

He said the reverse is also true and that is if Mayweather wins in an unimpressive manner and Marquez beats Pacquiao, “Marquez could conceivably become No.1.”

 

Collins pointed out that “something more important” than the mythical pound-for-pound title is at stake in the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch set for March 15 next year. The winner will become the Ring junior lightweight champion.

 

Collins said that should Pacquiao win he will join Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather as the “only two active fighters to win Ring Magazine belts in two weight classes.” Hopkins held the Ring middleweight title and is currently the light heavyweight champion while Mayweather is the former Ring lightweight champion and the current welterweight champion.”

 

Pacquiao had earlier received  the Ring Magazine featherweight belt which was personally presented by Collins at a Malacanang ceremony graced by the presence of one of Pacquiao’s staunches supporters through the years – President Gloria Macapagal Arrooyo.