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Many of you have said that Manny will beat Ricky with ease. That may be one possible scenario. I am one of those who feel that this fight is a toss up with many possible scenarios that may favor either fighter based on their strengths and weaknesses.
I am a big Pacquiao fan, but always see more than one scenario unfolding especially when talking about fighters with records and resumes like Hatton and Pacquiao. There are Many scenarios wherein I can see Manny winning but to say that Hatton has no chance is just being unrealistic.
The last time Manny moved up in weight to fight a boxer of great acclaim was Erik Morales. Manny lost that fight, a fight that had him facing an aggressor the likes of which he has never encountered. Manny is moving up to face another champion of great accomplishments. One that has never lost at the weight they are fighting in.
Ricky has said that he will pressure Manny like Morales did in their first encounter. We all know how that went. I honestly feel that Morales was able to perpetuate an offensive plan of attack that had Manny retreating and confused about how react against a guy that seemed ready and willing to see if Manny was just as willing and ready to take the plunge. Both showed mutual respect as it was an eb and flow favoring Morales. Looking back in hindsight, after all the fights Manny has now engaged in, Ricky was right; Erik Morales had been the only fighter ever to apply that type of pressure against Manny. Pacquiao has always been the aggressor, the man applying the pressure and when his opponents dared exchange with him, he would oblige them with a toe-to-toe scrap. Not so with Morales, when Morales attacked, Manny covered up and backed up with Morales having his way with him, refusing to engage for the most part.
During this time, Morales was the biggest man Manny had ever faced moving up from featherweight. He was an opponent who was aggressive, skilled, and for a man who has never tasted the power of a legendary lb for lb master who's lore and stature as fighter were not very reassuring to probable opponents, most likely, very intimidating. Manny Pacquiao was the underdog, he was young and probably still had the memory of a 126lb. man, named Juan Manuel Marquez giving him the fight of his life. What does this taller, bigger, more offensive, supposedly better fighter, have in store for him at 130?
I think a big part of the reason Erik Morales was able to pressure and back Manny up into a defensive posture and score major points in the majority of the rounds was because I think Manny was weary and was not fully confident in this weight. Erik's mind games worked as he invited Manny on occasion to brawl with him. Manny knew full well that Erik has never been knocked out and that, as the bigger man, Erik may have the power to get hm in trouble as he has experienced in the past. As their two preceding fights have shown a riskier Manny that was more willing to exchange. Maybe it was because he sensed Erik wasn't the same fighter as he was the during their first war or maybe he gained the confidence in his ability to withstand Erik's punches. Manny's fight with Erik Morales, may show that Manny, though he may seem confident, has shown that he is a human being, and as such, experiences lapses in confidence that makes him take less risks banking on his speed against Hatton's power that has been proven at 147.
Manny has, for most of his career been an offensive fighter, and as such, has always been easy to hit. His last two fights, however, have revealed a more elusive fighter who's footwork and defensive prowess through the tutulage of Freddie Roach has helped him move up a weight class to capture a lightweight title in devastating fashion against David Diaz and two weight classes higher to retire Oscar De La Hoya in 8 one sided rounds. There have been many fans and experts who have down played Manny Pacquiao's recent victories due to the caliber of his opponent in David Diaz and the age and condition of Oscar De La Hoya could have been in. Rationality would probably be on their side as it would be hard to fathom that Manny improved so immensely that Diaz couldn't have more that a unskilled wannabe and De La Hoya an aging, weight drained old man.
If this was the case than Manny is in all likelyhood still very hittable by anyone better than David Diaz and younger and better conditioned than De La Hoya. Ricky Hatton definitely fits that bill and with Manny moving up in weight, Ricky is letting it be known to Manny that he is the bigger man, the stronger man, the man at 140; that he will pressure Manny like Erik did, that he has never been hit as hard as he will be hit on May 2. If Ricky somehow gets Manny to second guess himself like I think he did againts Morales the first time, he will control the fight and have many opportunities to capitalize and initiate his offense and set Manny up with feints.
I think Hatton needs to attack early to try and set the tone. If Hatton can back Manny up and sensitize his defensive reflexes by making him feel that he is in the wrong weight class, he can win this fight just like Morales did.
However, If Manny does beat Hatton in the same fashion he beat Oscar De La Hoya and David Diaz, It be hard to rationalize against those who believe that Manny Pacquiao really has improved by that much.
I am a big Pacquiao fan, but always see more than one scenario unfolding especially when talking about fighters with records and resumes like Hatton and Pacquiao. There are Many scenarios wherein I can see Manny winning but to say that Hatton has no chance is just being unrealistic.
The last time Manny moved up in weight to fight a boxer of great acclaim was Erik Morales. Manny lost that fight, a fight that had him facing an aggressor the likes of which he has never encountered. Manny is moving up to face another champion of great accomplishments. One that has never lost at the weight they are fighting in.
Ricky has said that he will pressure Manny like Morales did in their first encounter. We all know how that went. I honestly feel that Morales was able to perpetuate an offensive plan of attack that had Manny retreating and confused about how react against a guy that seemed ready and willing to see if Manny was just as willing and ready to take the plunge. Both showed mutual respect as it was an eb and flow favoring Morales. Looking back in hindsight, after all the fights Manny has now engaged in, Ricky was right; Erik Morales had been the only fighter ever to apply that type of pressure against Manny. Pacquiao has always been the aggressor, the man applying the pressure and when his opponents dared exchange with him, he would oblige them with a toe-to-toe scrap. Not so with Morales, when Morales attacked, Manny covered up and backed up with Morales having his way with him, refusing to engage for the most part.
During this time, Morales was the biggest man Manny had ever faced moving up from featherweight. He was an opponent who was aggressive, skilled, and for a man who has never tasted the power of a legendary lb for lb master who's lore and stature as fighter were not very reassuring to probable opponents, most likely, very intimidating. Manny Pacquiao was the underdog, he was young and probably still had the memory of a 126lb. man, named Juan Manuel Marquez giving him the fight of his life. What does this taller, bigger, more offensive, supposedly better fighter, have in store for him at 130?
I think a big part of the reason Erik Morales was able to pressure and back Manny up into a defensive posture and score major points in the majority of the rounds was because I think Manny was weary and was not fully confident in this weight. Erik's mind games worked as he invited Manny on occasion to brawl with him. Manny knew full well that Erik has never been knocked out and that, as the bigger man, Erik may have the power to get hm in trouble as he has experienced in the past. As their two preceding fights have shown a riskier Manny that was more willing to exchange. Maybe it was because he sensed Erik wasn't the same fighter as he was the during their first war or maybe he gained the confidence in his ability to withstand Erik's punches. Manny's fight with Erik Morales, may show that Manny, though he may seem confident, has shown that he is a human being, and as such, experiences lapses in confidence that makes him take less risks banking on his speed against Hatton's power that has been proven at 147.
Manny has, for most of his career been an offensive fighter, and as such, has always been easy to hit. His last two fights, however, have revealed a more elusive fighter who's footwork and defensive prowess through the tutulage of Freddie Roach has helped him move up a weight class to capture a lightweight title in devastating fashion against David Diaz and two weight classes higher to retire Oscar De La Hoya in 8 one sided rounds. There have been many fans and experts who have down played Manny Pacquiao's recent victories due to the caliber of his opponent in David Diaz and the age and condition of Oscar De La Hoya could have been in. Rationality would probably be on their side as it would be hard to fathom that Manny improved so immensely that Diaz couldn't have more that a unskilled wannabe and De La Hoya an aging, weight drained old man.
If this was the case than Manny is in all likelyhood still very hittable by anyone better than David Diaz and younger and better conditioned than De La Hoya. Ricky Hatton definitely fits that bill and with Manny moving up in weight, Ricky is letting it be known to Manny that he is the bigger man, the stronger man, the man at 140; that he will pressure Manny like Erik did, that he has never been hit as hard as he will be hit on May 2. If Ricky somehow gets Manny to second guess himself like I think he did againts Morales the first time, he will control the fight and have many opportunities to capitalize and initiate his offense and set Manny up with feints.
I think Hatton needs to attack early to try and set the tone. If Hatton can back Manny up and sensitize his defensive reflexes by making him feel that he is in the wrong weight class, he can win this fight just like Morales did.
However, If Manny does beat Hatton in the same fashion he beat Oscar De La Hoya and David Diaz, It be hard to rationalize against those who believe that Manny Pacquiao really has improved by that much.
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