Pacquiao v. Hatton

[Lochdale]

Any thoughts on this fight? I'll be in Manhattan for the week so any Doper who knows a bar that might show it then please let me know.

I can see Pacquiao taking it in 8. He's just too fast for Hatton who has slowed down. It'll be stopped in 8.

[Busy Scissors]

I'll go with the total homer pick that Ricky can take this one (I'm British). He's a beast at 140 and never been beaten at the weight. I think mentally he feels he has a point to prove, his star has waned somewhat since it became clear that he wouldn't be competitive at 147. That's where the action is at the moment, leaving Ricky fighting comedians like Paulie Malignaggi at jnr welter. Ricky's change of trainer has also been great for him - something he should have done years ago.

Pacquiao is a legend already, pound for pound king, so it should be a great fight. Could obviously go the other way - I think a lot depends on how you view Pacquiao's fight with Oscar. Oscar's past it, but I thought he looked as good as anyone has against Mayweather, and I wouldn't fancy Ricky to beat him even now. Manny beating him so convincingly is amazing, really. I'm hoping that styles make fights will apply when Ricky takes him on next weekend.

[pravnik]

I really, really like Ricky, but I see Pacquiao getting the decision. He's looking more like Mayweather every fight.

[gonzomax]

Hatton's bubble got burst last fight. Pacquiao is tough. I like Hatton but he has a lot to prove now.

[Busy Scissors]

Originally Posted by gonzomax

Hatton's bubble got burst last fight. Pacquiao is tough. I like Hatton but he has a lot to prove now.

eh? His last fight was against Paulie M who he comfortably outclassed, fight before that was against Lazcano where he didn't look great but still won on the cards. He was given a lesson by Mayweather in late 07, but everyone who fights Floyd gets taken back to School.

[gonzomax]

I saw him against Mayweather. I did not know he tried to get his feet wet before he jumped back in. Is he ready for another big fight so soon?

[Sincere]

No doubt, Manny is a fast and skilled fighter, but the weight will be the major factor here. He's fought the last part of his career at 130lbs. He had the one fight against Diaz at 135, then fought a De la Hoya who was so weight drained that it isn't even funny at 147. De La Hoya really didn't hit Manny with any significant shots. So I have to wonder how Manny will react to a legitimate threat at 140lbs. Hatton will land on him a ot more than Oscar. I don't see Manny hurting Hatton or withstanding the assault to his body.

Floyd Sr. training Hatton won't have as big an impact as a lot of people think. He hasn't changed Rick's style that much actually. He throws the jab more and is working on head movement, but nothing ground breaking. When it comes to crunch time, look for Hatton to do what comes naturally.

Hatton stops him in 10.

P.S. Pacquiao has a decent shot to stop Hatton on cuts but it's not the most likely outcome.

[Busy Scissors]

Wow! What a lesson that turned out to be. Really disappointed for Ricky, he'll be sick at that performance. Pacquiao, though, is a fighter for the ages - exceptional boxer.

I actually listened to the fight on the wireless in the early hours - is there a better sport to hear on the radio? I was up in a remote Scottish glen doing some mountain biking yesterday, and sleeping in a bunkhouse with four other hairy-arse blokes. Combination of sunburn, dehydration and snoring drove me out at 4 in the morning, and I drove home listening to the BBC's Mike Costello call the fight. Great, exciting commentator, shame it was so short.

[Lochdale]

An exceptional kicking. He was just outclassed. Time to hang up the gloves. Watched it at Jack Dempsey's in Manhattan. Place was jammed almost entirely with Hatton fans.

[Huerta88]

I had money on Hatton, based on his toughness. More fool I. Ricky is game, for sure. That's fine. But Manny ate his lunch with not the slightest of apologies. The knockout shot was scary, on the level of Duk Koo Kim scary.

Manny vs. Floyd -- I think we have to wait till November or so, right? But how good will that be?