Calzaghe, Haye, Froch, Warren on Pacquiao vs. Hatton
By Mark Vester
BBC Sport made contact with some of the biggest and most well known names in British boxing. The news outlet got their predictions on the upcoming fight between countryman Ricky Hatton and the pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao. The fight takes place on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. As expected, the majority of the fighters polled went for Hatton, who in the eyes of many is a big underdog.
David Haye sees Hatton possibly getting dropped and having to get off the deck to win. He says Ricky will find a way to pull it out.
"Hatton has taken his career to new heights with his new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr and a more professional, healthy approach to living between fights. I see Hatton winning a very close, hard-fought decision. He may have to get off the floor but he will find a way to win," Haye said.
Joe Calzaghe has a lot of confidence in Hatton. He says the Manchester fighters has a better chance of beating Pacquiao than Floyd Mayweather Jr, who knocked Hatton out in 2007.
"It's going to be a tough fight for Ricky but he's got a better chance of beating Manny than Floyd Mayweather Jr. Ricky definitely has the height advantage against Pacquiao, so if he can close the range and cut him down he has a great chance of winning. He's got to take his chance," Calzaghe said.
Carl Froch sees a very tough fight ahead but he predicts victory for Ricky - if the ref allows him to fight "his fight."
"Ricky has got a very difficult job ahead of him. He's the underdog and he's going to struggle but I think he is going to pull it off. He's bigger and stronger than Pacquiao and if the referee lets him fight his fight, which is a rough, dirty, pub-brawl type of fight, he'll rough him up and he'll beat him," Froch said.
Promoter Frank Warren, who used to handle Hatton, was one of the few who went for Pacquiao. He says the junior welterweight limit will be better for Pacquiao than Hatton.
"I have to admit I don't like Hatton's chances. Boxing at light-welterweight will suit Hatton but it will favor Pacquiao more. Pacquiao will be that bit quicker than he was against Oscar de la Hoya at welterweight - and even stronger," Warren said.
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