By Mark Vester
In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com’s Ernest Gabion, Pacquiao confirmed that former two-division champion Ricky Hatton was one of his main targets for 2008.
Pacquiao said he’s very focused on his upcoming March 15 rematch with WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. He seems to be fully aware that none of this is possible unless he gets by Marquez.
After Marquez, the Filipino icon will move up in weight to 135-pounds to challenge WBC lightweight champion David Diaz. If successful against Diaz, he wants to end the year with a Hatton mega-bout at the junior welterweight limit of 140-pounds.
“Not only are we looking at this Marquez fight, we are also looking to fight Diaz and Hatton this year. I need to win this fight (with Marquez),” Pacquiao said.
For the last few weeks we've heard a lot of talk regarding a potential bout between Pacquiao and Hatton. Several weeks ago, trainer Freddie Roach told Filipino radio host Dennis Principe that a bout between Pacquiao and Hatton was being discussed by Pacquiao's promoters, Top Rank.
“They’re talking about Manny Pacquiao as future opponent for somebody like Ricky Hatton down the line,” said Roach. "I don’t believe Oscar (De La Hoya) can go down to 147. I’m not that sure if that will work out. But against Ricky Hatton who’s maybe just as popular in his home country, it will be a huge fight for everybody. That makes the Marquez fight that much more important for Manny.”
During a recent meeting in New York between Hatton's representatives and HBO, the network discussed several viable opponents for Hatton in 2008; with Pacquiao being one of the names at the top of the list.
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