By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez says the fight is very close but he is “leaning towards (Ricky) Hatton” in his showdown with the Philippines national treasure and the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2.
Gomez spoke to BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from Houston, Texas on the eve of the lightweight battle between Ring Magazine champion Juan Manuel Marquez and IBO champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz and the WBA featherweight championship bout between undefeated Indonesian champion Chris John and Rocky Juarez.
Gomez said he expects Hatton “to come right at Manny” and believes that the IBO light welterweight champion is truly comfortable at 140 pounds and feels “the weight is going to get the better of Manny.”
Gomez noted that Hatton is “very aggressive” and Pacquiao “can’t afford to make any mistakes” although he conceded that the Filipino southpaw has the advantage in “speed and footwork.”
The top executive of Golden Boy Promotions who handles Hatton said the British “Hitman” has been training for some weeks now while Pacquiao has been engaged in other activities and will report to the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach only after his promotional tour stops in Manchester and London.
Gomez predicted a really good fight and although he considered it “tough to call” he was leaning towards Hatton emerging the winner.
