By Mark Vester

Bookies in Las Vegas and internet gambling sites are already being assaulted with questions on the probable mega-clash between Manny Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) and Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), which appears to be landing on May 2 in Las Vegas.

One Las Vegas insider told BoxingScene.com that most people in Sin City expect the line to open with Pacquiao as a "significant betting favorite" over Hatton. Pacquiao's star power exploded when he stopped Oscar De La Hoya in eight rounds on December 6. Pacquiao moved up from lightweight to welterweight to fight Oscar, and shocked many with a one-sided wipeout. Before the performance against De La Hoya, Hatton was viewed as a close favorite to beat Pacquiao.

BoxingScene was told "Manny's performance against De La Hoya changed everything. Nobody expected him to carry his power to welterweight. He might be stronger at junior welterweight. When he was a lightweight, Hatton was viewed as the bigger and stronger fighter. That is no longer the case."

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