By Mark Vester
More details are coming out for the first mega-fight of 2009, Manny Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) vs. Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs). There are two Las Vegas venues in the running to host the event, the MGM Grand and the Mandalay Bay. The May 2 bout will take place on HBO pay-per-view at the junior welterweight limit of 140-pounds. Arum [Top Rank head] told boxing scribe Dan Rafael that a few minor details are being worked on, but Pacquiao is on board and Richard Schaefer [CEO for Golden Boy] had revealed a few days ago that Hatton was also on board.
"I think we're there. We're just mopping up little details. My guy is on board. I think everybody is on board. I am very upbeat. But there are competing interests in Vegas. We can make a deal with different entities to have it at the Thomas & Mack Center or the MGM Grand. We will explore what the best deal is," Arum said.
