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Hatton brutal foe for Pacquiao
Hatton 'brutal' foe for Manny
By Joaquin Henson Updated February 06, 2009 12:00 AM
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Temuzin Rambing
JAKARTA – IBO (International Boxing Organization) lightwelterweight champion Ricky Hatton was described as “brutal” by Indonesian promoter Temuzin Rambing but if Manny Pacquiao fights the Englishman like Sugar Shane Mosley fought Antonio Margarito, there’s no way the “Hitman” from Manchester will win their May 2 bout in Las Vegas.
Rambing, 29, was a former amateur boxer who used to train with WBA featherweight titlist Chris John during their simon-pure years in Semarang City, an hour’s plane ride away from the capital. His father Sutan was John’s former trainer. Rambing will be in Cebu late this month to accompany former IBF minimumweight champion Muhammad Rachman for his fight against WBO Asia Pacific titleholder Milan Melindo.
“Hatton is brutal,” said Rambing. “Manny must be very careful. He’s a strong fighter who fights like a bull, always coming forward. He has no technique. He uses a lot of dirty tactics. He throws low blows. But he doesn’t stop punching. If Manny underestimates him, it will be a dangerous situation. Hatton is a relentless brawler. Manny has to bring him to the center of the ring and move around like he did against Oscar de la Hoya.”
Rambing, whose two brothers Sonny and Arthur were former pros, said even as Hatton is a tough opponent, Pacquiao should be able to dispose of him.
The trick is to fight Hatton the same way Mosley destroyed Margarito in their welterweight showdown last week. Mosley defied the odds by using ring smarts, quickness, footwork and defense to bring down the previously unbeaten Margarito on a late stoppage.
“Manny is a very good boxer with a good heart, good soul and good technique,” continued Rambing. “He has it all – power, speed and courage. He’s a real champion. As an Asian like Manny, I felt proud when he beat Oscar. Every Indonesian is just as proud of Manny as Filipinos. When he knocked out those legendary Mexicans like Barrera and Morales, all Indonesians were impressed. It’s not often an Asian is able to defeat Mexicans and Americans, some of whom are the best in the world.”
Rambing said Asians stick together when it comes to sports. “Indonesians cheer for Manny when he fights,” he went on. “It’s like when Japan or Korea qualifies for the World Cup of soccer. Indonesians cheer for our fellow Asians in playing against the best from the rest of the world.”
Although Rambing picked Pacquiao to win, he said Hatton won’t bow out easily.
“Hatton has good stamina,” said Rambing. “I think it’s a 60-40 chance for Manny to win and if he does, it will be by decision. It’s 50-50 that Manny will win by knockout. Against (Floyd) Mayweather, it’s a different story. Mayweather is clever, has power and is fast. That will be a 50-50 fight.”
Another Indonesian promoter Martinez dos Santos of East Timor said before De la Hoya fought Pacquiao, the Golden Boy was his idol.
Dos Santos, a journalist with the local sports newspaper Go Sport, now manages Rachman and will join the travelling party to Cebu for the Melindo bout.
“Oscar used to be my idol but now, it’s Pacquiao,” said Dos Santos. “Pacquiao has speed and power, two things he will capitalize on to beat Hatton. He’s a good boxer with a good technique and good fighting spirit.”
Dos Santos said Rachman has a lot in common with Pacquiao.
“Rachman is an aggressive fighter who can hurt you with either hand just like Pacquiao,” said Dos Santos. “Rachman trains very hard in the gym, also like Pacquiao. He is now in training in the mountains near the beach in Blitar City (a four-hour car ride from Surabaya which is a two-hour plane ride from Jakarta). He is a very disciplined fighter. By 9 p.m., he is fast asleep. He is also involved in politics. Rachman is a candidate for Parliament, representing East Java, in the April elections. I know Pacquiao is also involved in politics and will run for Congress next year.”
Martinez, 42, said he is looking forward to his third visit to the Philippines late this month after trips to cover the Southeast Asian Games in 1991 and 2005. Rambing was in the Manila for the WBC convention in November 2007.
By Joaquin Henson Updated February 06, 2009 12:00 AM
Photo is loading...
Temuzin Rambing
JAKARTA – IBO (International Boxing Organization) lightwelterweight champion Ricky Hatton was described as “brutal” by Indonesian promoter Temuzin Rambing but if Manny Pacquiao fights the Englishman like Sugar Shane Mosley fought Antonio Margarito, there’s no way the “Hitman” from Manchester will win their May 2 bout in Las Vegas.
Rambing, 29, was a former amateur boxer who used to train with WBA featherweight titlist Chris John during their simon-pure years in Semarang City, an hour’s plane ride away from the capital. His father Sutan was John’s former trainer. Rambing will be in Cebu late this month to accompany former IBF minimumweight champion Muhammad Rachman for his fight against WBO Asia Pacific titleholder Milan Melindo.
“Hatton is brutal,” said Rambing. “Manny must be very careful. He’s a strong fighter who fights like a bull, always coming forward. He has no technique. He uses a lot of dirty tactics. He throws low blows. But he doesn’t stop punching. If Manny underestimates him, it will be a dangerous situation. Hatton is a relentless brawler. Manny has to bring him to the center of the ring and move around like he did against Oscar de la Hoya.”
Rambing, whose two brothers Sonny and Arthur were former pros, said even as Hatton is a tough opponent, Pacquiao should be able to dispose of him.
The trick is to fight Hatton the same way Mosley destroyed Margarito in their welterweight showdown last week. Mosley defied the odds by using ring smarts, quickness, footwork and defense to bring down the previously unbeaten Margarito on a late stoppage.
“Manny is a very good boxer with a good heart, good soul and good technique,” continued Rambing. “He has it all – power, speed and courage. He’s a real champion. As an Asian like Manny, I felt proud when he beat Oscar. Every Indonesian is just as proud of Manny as Filipinos. When he knocked out those legendary Mexicans like Barrera and Morales, all Indonesians were impressed. It’s not often an Asian is able to defeat Mexicans and Americans, some of whom are the best in the world.”
Rambing said Asians stick together when it comes to sports. “Indonesians cheer for Manny when he fights,” he went on. “It’s like when Japan or Korea qualifies for the World Cup of soccer. Indonesians cheer for our fellow Asians in playing against the best from the rest of the world.”
Although Rambing picked Pacquiao to win, he said Hatton won’t bow out easily.
“Hatton has good stamina,” said Rambing. “I think it’s a 60-40 chance for Manny to win and if he does, it will be by decision. It’s 50-50 that Manny will win by knockout. Against (Floyd) Mayweather, it’s a different story. Mayweather is clever, has power and is fast. That will be a 50-50 fight.”
Another Indonesian promoter Martinez dos Santos of East Timor said before De la Hoya fought Pacquiao, the Golden Boy was his idol.
Dos Santos, a journalist with the local sports newspaper Go Sport, now manages Rachman and will join the travelling party to Cebu for the Melindo bout.
“Oscar used to be my idol but now, it’s Pacquiao,” said Dos Santos. “Pacquiao has speed and power, two things he will capitalize on to beat Hatton. He’s a good boxer with a good technique and good fighting spirit.”
Dos Santos said Rachman has a lot in common with Pacquiao.
“Rachman is an aggressive fighter who can hurt you with either hand just like Pacquiao,” said Dos Santos. “Rachman trains very hard in the gym, also like Pacquiao. He is now in training in the mountains near the beach in Blitar City (a four-hour car ride from Surabaya which is a two-hour plane ride from Jakarta). He is a very disciplined fighter. By 9 p.m., he is fast asleep. He is also involved in politics. Rachman is a candidate for Parliament, representing East Java, in the April elections. I know Pacquiao is also involved in politics and will run for Congress next year.”
Martinez, 42, said he is looking forward to his third visit to the Philippines late this month after trips to cover the Southeast Asian Games in 1991 and 2005. Rambing was in the Manila for the WBC convention in November 2007.
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