By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Acknowledging that his showdown in the “Battle of East and West” against Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton will be a tougher fight than his lopsided 8th round TKO over Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas last December 6 Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao has promised to once again “sacrifice in training.”
In fact, Pacquiao plans to leave for Los Angeles after the christening of his daughter Queen Elizabeth on February 22 to begin preparation for his May 2 showdown with Hatton before leaving for London and Manchester to kickoff the promotional tour which will also take the two fighters to New York and Los Angeles.
In an enjoyable dinner gathering with sports editors and boxing writers last Friday night at the sprawling Harbour View seaside restaurant by Manila Bay , Pacquiao maintained his attitude of never predicting the outcome of his fights and respecting his opponents.
Responding to IBO light welterweight champion Hatton’s claim that nobody could beat him at 140 pounds, Pacquiao said “ I don’t wish to predict the outcome. Everybody knows that I will stay quiet but I will sacrifice in training so that on top of the ring I can show the fans that it will be a good fight and I will make the them happy.”
When asked who scares him more, De La Hoya or Hatton, Pacquiao laughingly replied “nobody scares me. Its only my team members and those who accompany me who are afraid.”
Pacquiao indicated he was not looking beyond Hatton for a fight with the presently retired Floyd Mayweather Jr or newly crowned WBA welterweight champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley saying Hatton “is one of the biggest challenges” he faces in his boxing career, adding “it is not a stepping stone but a challenge against a great fighter.”
Pacquiao said he needs to “prepare well and study the style of Hatton in training and study well, his style of fighting.”
Informed that trainer Freddie Roach noticed that Hatton had a tendency to throw a couple of punches and then grab his opponent, Pacquiao said “that’s the reaction of a boxer when he is hurt. To hold.”
In an earlier news conference Hatton praised Pacquiao asa great champion and the only way to become a great fighter is to box great champions. Its an honor and privilege to be sharing a ring with him.” However, Hatton expressed confidence he would win saying, “I cannot see this fight going 12 rounds. I’m convinced I will beat Manny.”
While he respects the ability of Hatton’s trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr despite the fact that the mentor had belittled his skill and didn’t believe in him, Pacquiao said “I am not angry with him. He is a very good trainer and I respect him because he is also the father of Floyd (Mayweather Jr) but I cannot let down my trainer Freddie Roach because he is the best and he has proved it.”
During the relaxing get together with sumptuous sea food, Pacquiao who was joined by constant companion and friend, Deputy National Security Adviser and former governor Luis “Chavit” Singson raffled off a total of P300,000 (over $6,000) aside from a 21” TV set, a laptop, three cellphones and other prizes.
Pacquiao and his team members, lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal, Eric Pineda and Jake Joson put up P200,000 while governor Singson chipped in P100,000.
