On May 2^nd 2009, Manny Pacquiao did it again and bagged himself another boxing title, the IBO Light Welterweight championship. Pre-fight talk had Mayweather Snr declare that he was the best trainer ever and Hatton as the winner. (I wonder how he feels now?) Freddie Roach on the other hand, steered away from the ‘trash talk’ and predicted a ‘Technical Knock Out’ by Pacquiao in the third round.

 

 

I stayed up for the 4am GMT bout, nodding off occasionally in my yellow ‘Pacman Knows’ t-shirt and with only minutes to go, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. I was on tenterhooks and in need for caffeine. I could only imagine what it was like in the jam-packed MGM Grand Garden Arena, but as soon as I saw the Pacman walk, flanked by assistant trainer Michael Moorer and WWE’s Batista, I felt a surge of adrenaline and was wide awake for another boxing master class with Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao.

 

 

 

 

He showed speed and versatility using both fists. The first round saw Hatton caught with the right twice, but he managed to get up and continue. It was in the second round which Hatton fell prey to Pacquiao’s trademark left hook, right on the jaw. At 2:59 of the second round, the British boxer was crushed and left lifeless on the canvas by the Pacman’s TKO. Coach Freddie’s prediction was nearly spot on!

 

 

 

The Pacman commented “I am surprised it was so easy, but I worked hard in training camp since March. He was open for the right hook… It was nothing, I was just doing my job in there. This was as big for me as my win over Oscar De La Hoya.”

 

Hatton’s yoyo lifestyle caught up with him and judging by the remarks made by him and his team later, he had fought with his heart rather than his head and fell back into old habits early on.

 

“In the end, Pacquiao was too quick, too skilled and totally too much for Hatton”. *

 

 

It’s clear that Ricky has a lot to think about in regards to his future. It has been mentioned that he will continue to work in boxing, but to train and promote new boxing talent. What do you think he should do next?

 

The boxing world awaits the Pacman’s next challenge in the ring. Speculation from Cotto to Mosley, but the most anticipated will be with the winner of the Mayweather Jnr vs Marquez match-up. Who do you want to face the Pacman?

 

For the moment though, Manny Pacquiao will focus his attention outside of the boxing ring. The Philippines see him as their Pambansang Kamao (National Fist), a modern day hero, a legend, their hope, a source of inspiration, but after reading about his registration for the People’s Champ Movement, should he really involve himself with the world of politics… especially Filipino Congress politics? What do you think? Only time will tell.

 

 

There is no doubt that it was an amazing night (however short it was) and a great display of support for both of our countrymen – Filipino and British. They both fought outside of their national territories, but this ‘war’ of East meets West belonged to Manny Pacquiao.

 

 

It may be game over for the Hitman… but for the Pacman, he continues to reign supreme.

 

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Read further:

LDN meets the Pacman http://www.ldnmeetsmnl.com/2009/03/06/ldn-meets-the-pacman/

Filipino of the Year http://www.ldnmeetsmnl.com/2009/03/06/filipino-of-the-year-2008/

The Hitman vs The Pacman http://www.ldnmeetsmnl.com/2009/02/20/hitman-vs-pacman/

 

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* HBO - Chuck Johnson: http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2009/0502_pacquiao_hatton/news/fight_fightupdate.html

Posted on 8 May 2009 by Lani in Sport

Tagged boxing, manny pacquiao, pacman, ricky hatton