Pacquiao begins training camp for Hatton

By Doug Fischer

After a well-deserved vacation, the Fighter of the Year for 2008 returned to work on Wednesday.

Manny Pacquiao, coming off a banner year, reported to the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif., for the first day of training camp for his first fight of 2009 – a May 2 challenge to RING junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao and head trainer Freddie Roach, owner of the famous boxing gym, both arrived on Tuesday after spending the weekend in the UK to take part in the mega-fight’s kick-off media events that took place in Hatton’s hometown of Manchester, England.

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 knockouts) and Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) have arguably the largest international followings in the sport, but one would assume that the 140-pound champ would be the overwhelming crowd favorite in Manchester. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, Golden Boy, HBO, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, MGM Grand, Pacman vs. Hitman, Pacquiao vs. Hatton, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton, top rank promotions

KO warning for Pacquiao: Mayweather Snr insists Hatton will reign supreme in Las Vegas

skysports.com

Manny Pacquiao has been warned that Ricky Hatton will “bust him up” when the pair clash on May 2 at the MGM Grand.

The light-welterweight showdown in Las Vegas will see both fighters vying for the title of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, HBO, Las Vegas, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, MGM Grand, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton

Pacquiao begins training in bid to win his 5th title

GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao reported to Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles eager to begin a two-month long training that would prepare him against British boxer Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao, who will face Hatton in “The Battle of East vs West” on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is on a mission to win his fifth world title in a different weight division. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton

RICKY HATTON insists Fatman will beat Pacman to become boxing’s new pound-for-pound king

By CONNIE HENRY

RICKY HATTON insists Fatman will beat Pacman to become boxing’s new pound-for-pound king.

Much has been made of how Hatton balloons between fights due to his love of booze and food.

But Hatton, who jokingly refers to himself as Ricky Fatton, believes his weight advantage will give him the edge when he faces Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton

Fun has begun for Hatton-Pacquiao bout

By Andy Samuelson

Manny Pacquiao just completed one of boxing’s most impressive years ever with three wins in three different weight classes, highlighted by his dominant victory over the iconic Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6, 2008, at the MGM Grand.

And while fans line the streets by the thousands in his native Philippines to watch the universally regarded pound-for-pound champ box, another prize fighter thinks he’s got just the type of style to stop Pacquiao’s legendary status from growing. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton, Wild Card Gym

Mayweather primed for return to the ring?

By Dan Rafael

There are few who believe that former pound-for-pound king and welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is permanently retired. Among the nonbelievers is his estranged father, Floyd Mayweather Sr.

Mayweather Sr. believes not only that his son will fight again but his unretirement is imminent. read more

Filed under: Floyd Mayweather, Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Pound for Pound, Ricky Hatton, shane mosley

Hatton clearly the underdog against Pacquiao

By Ricardo Lois

He might have a skull lined with concrete, thousands of fans chanting, “There’s only onnnnnnnnnnnne Ricky Hatton,” and a huggy bear style that can frustrate the most average of boxers. But come May 2nd, Ricky Hatton will be a clear underdog against Manny Pacquiao.

One Internet sports book has the Filipino boxing idol a two-to-one favorite over the U.K. bruiser. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton

Hatton will KO Pacquiao

espnstar.com

Ricky Hatton is likely to knock Manny Pacquiao out when the pair meet in the ring in May, according to Floyd Mayweather Sr.

The two will vie for the title of the the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter when they meet in a light welterweight fight on Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton

Speed, not just power will shock Pacquaio says Hatton

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) – Briton Ricky Hatton will return to the scene of his only career defeat in May and believes Manny Pacquaio will discover a far superior fighter to the one outclassed by Foyd Mayweather Jnr little more than a year ago.

The light-welterweight fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas offers Hatton, the undisputed king of the 140 pounds division, a chance to claim the title of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton

THE PACMAN IS BACK IN TOWN, THE HARD GRIND BEGINS

By Ed de la Vega, DDS

Los Angeles, CA:- After completing the obligatory appearances in London and Manchester, England, Manny Pacquiao flew back “home” to this city to open his training camp at the famed Wildcard Gym of Freddie Roach.

Thus begun the same old grind at the now famous sweatshop along Vine St. in Hollywood.

Judging from the past training camps at the same place, not much will be different. And, this writer is confident, after all has been said and done, the end result will be the same.

Just like with the rest in Pacquiao’s past encounters, the British will fall.

The only visible difference at the camp was a new man.

Michael Moorer, a fighter who has a noteworthy resume has been added to the team. Moorer, also known as “Double M” holds a record of 52-4-1 (40KOs).

Today, Wednesday LA Time, the training leading to the development of the fight plan(s) to counter whatever Roger Mayweather has for Ricky Hatton has begun.

Being the first day however, the Pacman begun with the simple stuff just so he can shake off apparent results of jet lag and time zone difference.

The day was nothing big.

The Pacman did two rounds of shadow boxing, three rounds with the mitts, two rounds on the speed bag, three rounds jumping rope, two rounds on the double bag and abdominal exercises completed with stretching.

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Floyd Mayweather, Freddie Roach, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Ricky Hatton, Wild Card Gym