By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao admits that Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton is a tougher opponent that either David Diaz whom he demolished in nine rounds or Oscar De La Hoya who quit at the end of eight last December 6 after taking a bad beating.
Pacquiao who flies to London and Manchester at the end of February to kick-start a promotional tour for their “Battle of East and West” in Las Vegas onMay 2 told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that “I consider this my hardest fight because Hatton doesn’t know anything else other than to keep throwing punches.”
Pacquiao said that in addition Hatton “is strong and an excellent boxer and I cannot be overconfident .” He said “its my honor to fight Hatton who is one of the great fighters and we will soon know who is the best on top of the ring.”
Pacquiao stressed that he was both physically and mentally ready to take on Hatton would “train hard and I’m not nervous or afraid.”
When reminded that he is the world’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter Pacquiao replied with a broad grin across his face, “I am just an ordinary fighter but I can beat a good fighter” and then burst out laughing.
Earlier, a top executive of Matchroom Sport which also promotes boxing in Britain said both Pacquiao and Hatton are fighters who will never give up and both have huge hearts. He said “when you get two guys like that you’ll have to drag one of them out of the ring and I think Hatton will be the one to be dragged out of the ring with Pacquiao stopping him in the late rounds.”
The Matchroom director made it a point to stress that Hatton is not like Oscar De La Hoya who Pacquiao hammered into submission in eight rounds last December 6 . While conceding that Hatton was “not at the level of De La Hoya who is at the end of his career. Ricky has a lot left in his tank and he’s a warrior. And he’ll give it everything. I hope that Manny Pacquiao can take a punch because he will get hit in this fight.”
Meantime, Pacquiao and his charming wife Jinkee threw a lavish reception following the christening of his daughter Queen Elizabeth where the 32 male and 16 female godparents were a veritable who’s who in politics, the military, the legal profession, show business and media led by vice president Noli De Castro.
The Church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was packed with godparents, relatives, friends and well-wishers while the reception at the KC Convention Mall which was also the site of Pacquiao’s 30th birthday last December 17 was described as fabulous.
Colorfully costumed ushers welcomed the guests to “The Kingdom of Queenie” in a play on the theme of royalty while the food was sumptuous and truly a feast for a queen.
When its all over Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles in Tuesday to begin the promotional tour stops and the rigorous training grind for his next major conquest – the IBO light welterweight title of Hatton.
