Ricky Hatton "on board" with Pacquiao fight being in Vegas
The final stumbling block to a Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight on May 2 vanished today when Britain's Hatton agreed that the best site to stage the bout would be Las Vegas, not his home country.
Hatton's promoter, Richard Schaefer, told The Times that he and Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, have scheduled meetings Tuesday in Las Vegas with Planet Hollywood executive Robert Earl and MGM/Mirage entertainment/sports chief Richard Sturm to determine whether the 140-pound fight will be hosted at UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center (sponsored by Planet Hollywood) or MGM Grand Garden Arena, where Pacquiao defeated Oscar De La Hoya last month.
"Ricky's preference was the U.K., but he's realized that was not the best place for this fight, just like the Philippines [Pacquiao's home country] wasn't," Schaefer said. "This is right in the middle."
Although fighter contracts have yet to be signed, Schaefer said Hatton has verbally agreed to all key terms and should ink the deal "within the next week. You can't rush attorneys." Pacquiao, too, is "on board" with the terms, Schaefer said.
Hatton, after being knocked out in December 2007 by the man considered boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter then, welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr., now gets a second shot at the holder of that mythical title in a more ideal junior-welterweight match. He pounded Paulie Malignaggi in a 140-pound bout in November.
"Being at 147 was clearly not Hatton's best weight; Ricky's unbeaten at 140," Schaefer said.
Pacquiao, voted fighter of 2008 by many boxing publications, will fight in a fourth different weight category in his fourth consecutive bout. He won super-featherweight and lightweight titles last year, then punished De La Hoya at 147 pounds.
-- Lance Pugmire
Photo: Ricky Hatton hits Paulie Malignaggi during the third round of their junior-welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas in November. Hatton won the fight by TKO in the 11th round. Credit: John Locher / Las Vegas Review-Journal
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Manny is one of a kind... He's the greatest pound for pound even better than floyd. And he will prove it come fight time. Ricky is great as well, but i can't see him improving that much. hE's like a bigger/stronger Diaz BUT WILL SUFFER THE SAM FATE. IMO
john ROSSDALE
Horsham, PA
Posted by: John | January 05, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Lalapalooza! This one's gonna be a slugfest for sure. I like Hatton, he never ducks anyone, agrees on any terms just to fight the best. We will see if he really is invincible at 140, Pacman has defied all the odds. Both on their primes, both exciting fighters on the ring, both good men outside, can't miss this.
If Ricky wins this, he can't claim just yet the P4P "title" cuz PBF's coming out of retirement and we all know ricky was massacred, a rematch is nice but I doubt if it will sell, maybe in Manchester, definitely not in the US. Has to prove if he really has improved from being a brawler. If Manny wins, this will create a bigger stage for him and the Pretty Boy.
I was hoping for PBF-MP right after PBF comes out of retirement. Anyway it goes, MP can fight Ricky after that. But now that the sheets are close to being signed, if MP loses to Ricky, I don't think he can face PBF.
Posted by: Berting | January 05, 2009 at 05:58 PM
thomas mack center is the best venue for the mega fight .. manny paquiao is the greatest fighter.. i think he beat ricky hatton 8 or 9 round knockout hatton he is very speed but manny is very much speed and he beat hatton knockout in 9 rounds... after hatton the nex fight for me for paquiao.. the winner between kendalholt and bradley for the WBO WBC junior welterweight after ths will face floyd mayweather.. by megafigth in decemer..... may 2 hatton sept 19 kendalholt or brdaley... and december 5 0r 12 mayweather after 3 fights ur decision is urs retired or politics for me do not retire.. ur retirement age 33 up to 35 thnks
Posted by: arnel | January 05, 2009 at 08:23 PM
This will be a fight for the ages. Two nice guys, two exciting fighters, two exciting fan bases.....both guys speak softly but carry big sticks. It's like the Pope vs. Santa Claus - but bloodier. Boxing needs this. With a fight like this.....doesn't matter who wins.........we all win.
Posted by: Roland A. | January 05, 2009 at 10:14 PM
this is a great fight beetwen MP and HAtton.GO GO Manny..
Posted by: third | January 05, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Paquiao vs. Hatton is a good boxing match. This is a fight between a boxer vs. a brawler. I am just bothered of the DIRTY TACTICS of Hatton, such as too much clinching and wrestling.
Posted by: Tony M. Bangalisan | January 05, 2009 at 10:15 PM
as Pacquiao fan, I'm very excited about his coming match with Hatton. I only wish that Manny will not suffer an accidental headbut. If he does, I know he will win this bout. I love the way he moves on the ring, esp. on that fight with Dela Hoya..hes right hand is very sharp and improving.. &his footwork--(wow!) what can say..My one last wish to him: "My hero, after you finished boxing>>please, DON'T GO TO POLITICS!!! If you want your good image preserved.." MANNY, WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Posted by: willy | January 06, 2009 at 10:08 AM
the proud waves of pacman stop at the shores of hatton.. believe me because i was probably the only one who predicted that manny would murder dela hoya..
Posted by: Cooloogoo28 | January 06, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Pacquiao vs Hatton is not that exciting match because Hatton as you can see is a hugger...clinch, clinch and more cliching is boring boxing fight to watch.Mayweather vs Pacquiao is better although Mayweather will run most of the time but it's an easier job for the referree...
Posted by: BM | January 06, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Oh Man!! Can't wait, ..this got to be the best fight of the year!! The best fighter win.. Good Luck to you both.. Phil-Lon
Posted by: Alex C | January 06, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Both fighter's fighting style would lead to a very explosive showdown! It's a mouth-watering match-up - Pacman vs Hitman. Can't wait...This would be one of the biggest boxing match in recent memory.
Posted by: Frukz | January 06, 2009 at 11:34 AM
I second the motion Mr. Roland, you have the best comment in this article.
Posted by: roger | January 06, 2009 at 02:34 PM
I like this match but I believe pacman would still prevail winner coz he's got the speed and any boxer would face problems if they cannot hit the target. Further, hatton is a drinker and he have stamina problems.
Posted by: piangot | January 07, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Manny Vs Hatton.......Definitely the team Pacuiao will study and implement a fight -plan that will suit the latter's defeat. Mr. Freddie Roach stated already that this will be a great fight too ,and will win if the best preparation are done andwell executed
come fightday ,in that effect.No more doubt ,Pacman wins!
Posted by: Isidro | January 07, 2009 at 05:02 PM
On this coming bout between the "Pacman" against the "Hitman" on May 2 at Las Vegas, i think its gonna be a great, action pack fight and exciting fight between 2 of the most exciting and passionate fighters but the Pacman will defeat the Hitman because he has this great and unparalleled hand speed and footwork. He will destroy the Hitman and get his 5th world title.. Good luck and God bless for the Pacman.. Go Manny. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas
Posted by: Duke66 | January 07, 2009 at 05:02 PM
This gonna be a very nice match... we cant even say who wins.. because both of them are great fighters...
Posted by: ericksonx | January 12, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Ricky Hatton will be tko at 9th round. pacquiao boxing strategy and knock out power punch is one of a kind. hope hatton will give pacquiao a clean fight
Posted by: Victor Ngaw Glang | February 19, 2009 at 08:45 PM
i think manny will win this fight ..manny have speed power and stamina and hatton just speed and power.. but stamina ...pacman have great advantage....
Posted by: raf | April 16, 2009 at 09:55 AM