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The bigger Hatton gets, the better for Manny
The bigger Hatton gets, the better for Manny
By Abac Cordero Updated April 23, 2009 12:00 AM
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao works out with conditioning coach Alex Ariza. Abac Cordero
HOLLYWOOD – A bigger Ricky Hatton is a slower Ricky Hatton.
“The more weight Ricky Hatton puts on, the happier I am because too much weight is not good for a fighter,” said trainer Freddie Roach Tuesday at his Wild Card Gym when reminded of Hatton’s plan to climb the ring on May 2 against Manny Pacquiao as heavy as 154 lbs.
The weight limit is pegged at 140 lbs and that’s where both fighters should be during the official weigh-in. But boxers are capable of gaining as much as 14 lbs, or even more in the next 24 hours after replenishing their bodies, and Hatton wants a lot of it.
Roach said it’s not their problem.
“Food makes you sluggish and dulls your senses. If they think they’re gonna be stronger because they are a little heavier, they can be sadly mistaken. They think Manny is a small guy. Wait till he gets there. He’s not a small guy, he’s going to push Ricky around,” said Roach.
Pacquiao, his chief trainer said, should weigh in at a140 lbs or just a shade lighter, and by fight time should be 147 or 148 lbs. or just as heavy, and hopefully as quick, as strong and as sharp as he was when he destroyed Oscar dela Hoya last December.
“Ten pounds maximum. Ten pounds – that’s my level. Anything more than 10 pounds is bad, I think. If he wants to be bigger and weigh more that doesn’t make you stronger,” said Roach, recalling the Juan Manuel Marquez rematch when Pacquiao put on close to 15 lbs after the weigh-in.
By Abac Cordero Updated April 23, 2009 12:00 AM
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao works out with conditioning coach Alex Ariza. Abac Cordero
HOLLYWOOD – A bigger Ricky Hatton is a slower Ricky Hatton.
“The more weight Ricky Hatton puts on, the happier I am because too much weight is not good for a fighter,” said trainer Freddie Roach Tuesday at his Wild Card Gym when reminded of Hatton’s plan to climb the ring on May 2 against Manny Pacquiao as heavy as 154 lbs.
The weight limit is pegged at 140 lbs and that’s where both fighters should be during the official weigh-in. But boxers are capable of gaining as much as 14 lbs, or even more in the next 24 hours after replenishing their bodies, and Hatton wants a lot of it.
Roach said it’s not their problem.
“Food makes you sluggish and dulls your senses. If they think they’re gonna be stronger because they are a little heavier, they can be sadly mistaken. They think Manny is a small guy. Wait till he gets there. He’s not a small guy, he’s going to push Ricky around,” said Roach.
Pacquiao, his chief trainer said, should weigh in at a140 lbs or just a shade lighter, and by fight time should be 147 or 148 lbs. or just as heavy, and hopefully as quick, as strong and as sharp as he was when he destroyed Oscar dela Hoya last December.
“Ten pounds maximum. Ten pounds – that’s my level. Anything more than 10 pounds is bad, I think. If he wants to be bigger and weigh more that doesn’t make you stronger,” said Roach, recalling the Juan Manuel Marquez rematch when Pacquiao put on close to 15 lbs after the weigh-in.
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