PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — It’s going to be one hell of a fight, a slugfest and a war.
Manny Pacquiao guaranteed that once he and Ricky Hatton come face-to-face at the center of the ring on May 2 (May 3, Manila time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Pag-bell, PAK! Let’s get it on,” said the Filipino ring idol, letting out a big laugh when asked about the possible opening scenario of the fight considered the biggest for the year 2009 so far.
But seriously, there’s really nothing to anticipate but an all-out brawl when two of the planet’s top sluggers are pitted against each other.
Pacquiao had no problem with it. That’s the kind of fight he’s known to thrive on.
“Gusto ko yun,” he said eagerly, like a child waiting for his first Christmas present. “Mas hirap kasi ako pag tinatakbuhan ako. Mas gusto ko yung pinapasok ako. Yun kasi ang style ko.”
Their records alone speak of the kind of fighters they are. Pacquiao is 48-3 with 36 KOs while Hatton is 45-1, 32 of them coming inside the distance.
It’s no wonder their respective trainers – Freddie Roach for the `Pacman’ and Floyd Mayweather Sr. for the `Hitman’ – had boldly predicted the 12-round bout won’t last for more than three rounds.
Pacquiao said he’s not in the business of predicting fight endings, stressing “ako naman laban lang lagi, e. Mahirap mag-salita ng tapos.”
Besides, he’s not setting aside Hatton’s talent.
“Huwag nating isipin na this is an easy fight, na kayang-kaya natin ito,” said the top pound-for-pound fighter of the world.
“Mabilis din si Hatton. Magaling din yun, malakas at champion.”
Conditioning eventually will have a big say on who gets to win the mega-showdown.
He’s not saying he’s the better conditioned fighter, but Pacquiao said he’s ready against Hatton the same way he did against Oscar De La Hoya, whom he demolished inside eight rounds last year.
“Kundisyon na tayo,” he assured everyone.
Giving Pacquiao that extra glow in his eyes was the arrival of wife Jinkee here Wednesday night.