By Jake Donovan

The British can chant all they want that there’s only one Ricky Hatton.

Floyd Mayweather Jr can claim all he wants that he never lost his pound-for-pound distinction in the ring.

Floyd Mayweather Sr can claim the answers to all of boxing’s greatest riddles reside in his mind.

Juan Manuel Marquez and Golden Boy Promotions can claim all they want that the Mexican owns two wins over Filipino’s greatest icon.

But thanks to his devastating second round knockout of Ricky Hatton on Saturday night, what can no longer be claimed with any validity is that there is a single fighter in the world today that is better than Manny Pacquiao.

Based on talent and achievement, it’s not even close.

The two-time Fighter of the Year staked his claim for a third award (and second straight) thanks to the most brutally one-sided performance in a super fight since… well, since his eight-round destruction of Oscar de la Hoya five months ago.

But that win was about two things: fattening the Filipino’s bank account and furthering his status as an international superstar.

Saturday night’s performance was about making history, and Pacquiao did so in emphatic fashion, becoming the first fighter in boxing history to claim lineal world titles in four separate weight classes thanks to his unseating the longtime lineal junior welterweight king.

The win at 140 adds to his collection of lineal titles at flyweight, featherweight and super featherweight, along with alphabet title wins at super bantamweight and lightweight.

He turned the latest trick in his legendary career while dominating Ricky Hatton in a way no other fighter has done so before – no, not even FORMER pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. And he did so while barely breaking a sweat in the process.

“I’m surprised that the fight was this easy,” Pacquiao would admit shortly after registering the 49th win of his now historic career, dropping Hatton three times in just under six minutes.

Something strange was in the air beginning with the pre-fight walk to the ring. Hatton, widely regarded as the true 140 lb. king going into the fight, elected to enter the ring first.

The decision seemed to throw everyone for a loop, including those operating the PA system, as there was a serious delay in cuing up his entrance music. We would be reminded  that Hatton (140 lb., Manchester, England) has never seen a salad or a diet; his fans would be denied the customary “Blue Moon” entrance until he was already perched in the ring for well over a minute.

In stark contrast, Pacquiao (138 lb, General Santos City, Philippines) looked as calm as an assassin and as giddy as a schoolyard child, offering an ear to ear grin as he made his way down the aisle.

The arena erupted upon entrance, and once again at the opening bell, though it took upwards of 20 seconds before either fighter threw a meaningful punch in the direction of the other. Hatton was the first to throw, but immediately clinched. Pacquiao connected with a right hook, drawing a rise from his Filipino contingent in the crowd.

Two more would land inside of the first half of the opening round, while Hatton enjoyed mild success with his right hand.

Then came the storm.

Hatton was wide in efforts to throw a left hook, to which Pacquiao perfectly timed with an inside right hook that smashed on Hatton’s chin for the bout’s first knockdown. Pacquiao remained on the offensive, swarming Hatton with a sea of bombs, punctuated by a straight left to send Hatton tumbling to the deck with less than ten seconds to go in the round.

The two-way firefight that was anticipated erupted in the second round. Hatton landed a right hand early, letting Pacquiao know that there was plenty of fight left. Pacquiao took the punch well, and later responded with a flush straight left at center ring to cause Hatton to briefly wobble. Pacquiao looked to move in, but ate a left hook for his troubles.

Oohs and ahhs echoed throughout the arena in the final minute of the second, with Pacquiao letting his hands go in swarmlike fashion. Many of the punches fell short, but still served as a precursor of things to come.

One thing in particular.

Just when it appeared Hatton would survive to fight another round, Pacquiao had other ideas. An overhand left came crashing down on Hatton’s jaw, knocking out the Brit upon impact, as he collapsed in a heap at center ring. Referee Kenny Bayless, who gave Hatton every opportunity to recover in the first round, wisely waved off the fight without a count.

The official time was 2:59 of round two.

Though the night ended much earlier than expected, the chain of events which led to the end result played out exactly as expected to the winner and new 140 lb. king.

“Our strategy was punch by punch, left hook by right hook was going to be the key to this fight,” said Pacquaio, who improves to 49-3-2 (37KO) with the win, his 10th straight, including his fourth win in as many weight classes in a mere 14-month span. “I expected my right hook to be dangerous for him because he’s open when he comes in."

On the exact same page was trainer Freddie Roach.

“Everytime Ricky throws his left hook he cocks it, and he’s wide open for a right hook from the southpaw stance. I knew it was over, because Ricky doesn’t have the ability to adjust. He fights the same way over and over again.”

Something will have to give if Hatton wants to continue as a prizefighter. His fans forever remain faithful, belting out their “Hatton Wonderland” cadence as early as the evening’s chief support, and continued well past the conclusion on the stunningly brief main event.

The loss knocks Hatton down to 45-2 (32KO), snapping a two-fight win streak. Both of his losses have come in the MGM Grand, both times against the reigning pound-for-pound. With the December 2007 loss to Mayweather, Hatton still retained his 140 lb. crown since the bout took place at the welterweight limit.

No such luck after crash landing against Pacquiao. The four-year reign comes to an end, having successfully defended the title six times along the way, including an impressive 11th round stoppage of Paulie Malignaggi in his most recent fight six months ago.

With the win, more answers are given surrounding Pacquiao’s greatness, though even more questions arise regarding where he rates as an all-time great.

Wherever he lands, he still remains the very best in the sport. His chief rival, Juan Manuel Marquez, can have a say should he defy the odds and spoil the comeback of Floyd Mayweather in their highly anticipated summer catchweight bout.

So too would Mayweather, of course, if the fight goes chalk and he escapes with his unbeaten record still intact.

For the moment, Pacquiao claims no vested interest in the fight, more concerned with simply giving the people what the want.

 “I’m satisfied. I’m always trying my best to give more to the people. I can fight anybody. I leave that to my promoters. I’m just a fighter, and doing my job training and keeping my concentration on fighting.

“It’s nothing personal; I just come to do my job.”

At this very moment, even with the return of Floyd Mayweather Jr, there’s nobody in the sport who does their job better than Manny Pacquiao.

The event was presented by Top Rank Inc and Golden Boy Promotions, in association with MP Promotions and Hatton Promotions.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com and a voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Contact Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com .